May 17/04 I am sitting in the little cabin of the steamship 'Tess' writing on the long table in the middle of the room. We are tied to the wharf at Alberni, where freight is being unloaded, & will run from her back thru the "Alberni Canal" to the Sechelt and the Wheeling station. Outside the rain is falling in a steady, mountainous drizzle which has never ceased sin ce it began early this morning. The cabin is cold & only lighted by their small electric lamps, and the situation is, anything but a pleasant one. After passing Cape Flattery about nine o'clock this morning, we ran full into the face of a tremendous sea, which came in from the open Pacific with us land to break its force. The little ship stood the blows of the gigantic waves magnificently, just rolled & pitched like an egg shell on the water. At first it looks a beautiful & inspiring sight to see the two great waves break with terrific force against the vessel's side, throwing spray high into the air & rocking the decks.