Sonja Frantzen (Hearts of Oak series)
Born near Melbourne Australia, Sonja started sailing on her Norwegian father’s fishing boat at the age of 2. He lashed her to the mast in rough weather to keep her from falling overboard. By the time she turned four she formed an integral part of his crew. But tragedy struck years later when a storm sent the sloop to the bottom of the sea.
The soul survivor, Sonja clung to a water keg for several days until a merchant ship picked her up. Now an orphan, teenage Sonja bought a little dinghy and fished on her own in Port Phillip Bay, selling her catch for a meager living.
As the Australian gold rush made Melbourne into a rowdy boom town, Sonja avoided the city and took refuge among the Chinese fishermen along the bay.
Members of her Norwegian extended family in Massachusetts sent her money for passage from Australia to the USA, but the money never reached her.
When Sonja meets the newly widowed Alice Packard, she offers to join the crew of the Vera B. At first, Alice doesn’t think hiring a female sailor will work. But when they can’t find any men to sail the brig, Sonja becomes one of the first women to sign up.
As the only woman on board with true lines-and-rigging sailing experience, 16-year-old Sonja quickly becomes one of the most vital crew members. Not only does she understand what makes a ship work, she also knows how to get the Vera B out through the Rip, the dangerous narrow passage linking the safe waters of Port Phillip Bay with the open ocean.
In spite of all Sonja’s strengths and experience, she has to face her weaknesses in the days to come. When push comes to shove, will she prove brave enough when lives are on the line?
James S. Davis 