A two hundred-year-old sunken ship is discovered off the northern tip of Vancouver Island and archaeologists are off to see if it's the three-sailed barque they've long looked for: Jacob Astor's fur trade ship, the <i>Intrepid</i>. Budding archaeologist Peggy Henderson manages to secure a place on this trip, but before she goes she must learn to scuba dive. Peggy's a good swimmer but diving isn't easy. She gains confidence by reading the captain's log book. His entries paint colourful pictures of the adventures and dangers of the fur trading sailor's life, and their often jarring relationship with First Nations people. It was the clash between these cultures which ultimately led to the sinking. Peggy relates to the problem of getting along with others who hold differing views as she tries to navigate her own salty kinship with her Great-aunt Beatrix. She soon discovers that respect, courage, and honesty go a long way in keeping not only ships afloat, but relation-ships too.