Thrice Armed

Jimmy Wheelock, a freshly commissioned lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve, abandons the orderly world of warships for a humble coasting schooner called the Tyee. As the vessel slips through the mist‑shrouded Vancouver Narrows, the salty air mixes with the faint smell of a forest fire burning on the distant slopes. The scene is painted with towering pines, snow‑capped peaks and the hum of telegraph lines, giving a vivid picture of life on the Pacific seaboard at dusk.

On board, Jimmy finds himself paired with the grizzled mate Prescott, a weather‑worn sailor who hints at deeper problems with the ship’s aging mast and the hidden rot that threatens its stability. The young officer’s naval training clashes with the rough practicality of coastal trade, and his curiosity about the schooner’s condition drives him into a quiet investigation. As the wind strengthens and the fire flickers across the water, the crew’s uneasy camaraderie suggests that the journey ahead will test both skill and resolve.