Late in the afternoon the winds shifted to the north, and huge swells ran down the lake. Thunder rumbled and cracked around the Hannah May, and rain drummed on the deck. Matthew's father shouted to the stonehookers to wait out the storm safely on shore.

Just as the last man scrambled up the rocky bank, a huge wall of wind spun the Hannah May around and pointed her toward the mouth of the cove. The anchor chain groaned and strained against the heavily laden boat. Suddenly the schooner was slammed broadside by a huge wave, and the anchor chain snapped.

Matthew's father pulled on the wheel as hard as he could, but the wind and the waves were too strong. The Hannah May rolled and pitched in the thick, dark soup of sky and water. The rocks on the deck rolled from side to side, slamming against the wooden hull. Matthew's father shouted, "Stay close to me! We'll have to ride it out ..."