Chapter 1 Summary

The date is mid-June in 1832, and Charlotte walks through the crowded docks of Liverpool, England with Mr. Grummage, a refined man hired by her father to see that Charlotte boards a ship that will take her to America. A muscular man follows behind them carrying Charlotte's trunk. Charlotte is amazed by the commotion happening all around her. Her current surroundings are like nothing she has experienced before. Mr. Grummage informs Charlotte that she will be traveling on an American merchant ship called the Seahawk. Charlotte will be traveling on the ship with other families also headed for America. Mr. Grummage has heard that the Seahawk's trip might be canceled but after talking to the captain face to face he is assured that there will be no delay.

Charlotte learns from Grummage that the captain's name is Captain Jaggery. The man carrying the...