Love on the High Seas
The true-life events of the sailing ships Jacinta (Spanish Brig) and Alto (American Barque Whaling Ship) are the basis of the following illustrated short story. Rather than telling this story in the third person I decided the story would be more appropriate to narrate in the first person from the perspective of the ship’s spirit (Jacinta). I remember paging through the old newspapers trying to decide on a story to bring back to life. There was this one and that one of interest, but nothing stellar. Then I came upon Jacinta’s story. I regarded the contents for moment, finally I blurred out “This is it! This is the one!” There wasn’t a doubt. This was a story that needs to be shared again. So let me take you back to 1857. Relive the heroic tale of Jacinta saving love on the high seas. Enjoy the saga of the “Alto Heart”.

Introduction
Waving a white handkerchief Captain Lawrence caught our attention on the stormy seas. The sight of this exhausted crew in a longboat convinced my captain that these poor souls were shipwrecked. We bore down on them with all haste and rescued them from their weathered craft. They were famished and exhausted, but soon emerged an even more desperate tale of woe from their distressed Captain Lawrence. This was a story that tore at the very heart of my captain, and so begins my recollection of what it was that turned our regular voyage into a mission of the heart.

Mission of the Heart
Captain Lawrence was beside himself with despair for it turned out his crew and him weren’t shipwrecked. It was even worse than we could have imagined! They were out in the long boats battling a whale when up swept a squall and separated them from their ship the Alto. The storm was completely unexpected and despite their strenuous rowing, they were unable to catch up to the vessel. She sailed out of sight. As if the loss of their ship wasn’t tragic enough, there was still souls left onboard: the Captain’s wife and child. The vessel was beyond the control of Mrs. Lawrence, and she helplessly watched her husband and crew disappear...