Astoria

Set against a backdrop of perilous seas, the narrative follows the crew of the Tonquin as they navigate treacherous waters. The ship, hesitant to approach the intimidating breakers, remains anchored while Mr. Mumford, the second mate, leads a small team in a pinnace to explore the channel's depths. Their mission is to find safe passage by sounding for a depth of four fathoms, highlighting themes of exploration and the challenges faced by seafarers in uncharted territories.