I just posted another chapter of my upcoming Oregon History book. If this looks like something you’d be interested in, take a minute to subscribe, and you will have access to all of the stories I’ve posted so far.

Here is an excerpt of the story I just posted, called “The Spanish Galleon.”

Samuel spent the searing afternoon loading the ship with boxes and supplies. He’d helped stock ships for the past year. It was hard work, but it provided much-needed money for him and his older sister. Their father had passed away when they were both young, but it wasn’t until last year that their mother died, too. This left Samuel and his sister Sarah alone in the world, with only each other to rely on. 

Samuel’s work at the shipyard provided more money for the two of them than Sarah could earn with her mending, and he felt proud about this. One day, the shipyard captain praised his hard work and made a lucrative offer. A Spanish Galleon was coming into their port, and they needed extra men for the voyage to the Philippines; the captain asked Samuel to join the crew. He was honored by the invitation and eager to earn extra money. However, he was almost more excited about the adventure. Life had been too serious and difficult since the death of Samuel’s mother, and he would appreciate a break from routine. Every day, as he loaded up ships and watched them sail out of the harbor, he thought about what it must be like to sail on the ocean; to maneuver through the waves and gaze at the star-filled sky at night.