The Sacrifice of the «Shannon»

Susan Thomas is a middle-school guidance counselor, teacher, and social
worker in Milton, Ontario.

The Sacrifice of the Shannon, first published in 1903, has been
republished as part of the Formac Fiction Treasures series. The modern
reader must keep that early date in mind when embarking on this exciting
journey of marine adventure and romance. The adoring narrator, Frederick
Ashburn, in words most fitting for the period, describes the courage
shown by the lovely, young Gertrude MacMichael: “a girl with spunk
enough to act on the result of her intuition.” He also introduces the
dashing Drew Wilson; raised with a passion for outdoor life, this young
Canadian could manage himself in London society as easily as he could
cut and carry six-foot cedar trees.

The real action of the story takes place on seagoing ships that tackle
the immense pack ice of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. There is a strong
respect for the power of the ice fields and the damage that nature can
do to steel ships and mighty seaside wharves. Lives are lost both by
those needing rescue and their daring rescuers. This is the tale of the
brave rescue of hundreds as the Shannon heads into danger to save the
crew of the ice-bound steamship, the Duncrieff.

The Sacrifice of the Shannon is a treasure that should be shared with
today’s generation.