Voyager © Diana Gabaldon 1994

Part Eight
On the Water

Chapter 49
Land Ho


Please discuss Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber and Voyager ONLY in this thread. Thanks!

The Spoiler thread can be found HERE

The smell of land is apparent, and Claire enlists the help of the goat keeper, Annekje in order to make her escape from the Porpoise, but this must be secret. Pausing only to pick up fresh water at Watling Island, Claire is dismayed when they don’t go ashore –
Claire has an uncomfortable discussion with Captain Leonard as he admits to knowing her real identity, and he expresses his guilt about recording his suspicions about Jamie in the ships log, this means that Jamie is in danger of being apprehended, and hanged-
Racked with guilt the Captain keeps out of Claire’s way as the ship makes its way south, but hampered by high winds and a split mainmast, the ship is forced to put in for repair on the North Caicos Island. The island proved a disappointment to Claire, but Annekje sees this as an opportunity, and demonstrates to Claire how she can escape using the water vortex in the Mouchoir Passage –

“Jump”, she said simply
“You’re crazy!” I said in horror
“But it vork. Vater move you”

Realising this may be her only opportunity Claire says:

“Ja” she said “I’ll try”


In this chapter we see:


• Claire resilience, or is it desperation, as she attempts to make plans to her escape from the Porpoise
• By writing in his log, Captain Leonard has placed Jamie is mortal danger
• The kindness and fortitude of Annekje, as she puts herself in danger by aiding Claire's escape

Share your thoughts.

I'm glad Annekje was willing to go out of her way to help Claire. And, that she wasn't fazed when their first plan failed because Captain Leonard chose that particular moment to talk to Claire. I'm glad he feels guilty for putting Jamie in danger when Claire has done so much for his crew. That shows he's a good guy in a bad situation, rather than just a general jerk. ;-) I noticed that she took note of Lord John's presence on the deck, but they didn't talk this time.

My impression is that Captain Leonard regrets causing Claire pain, after she's basically saved the ship and the crew, but otherwise would have no qualms about turning in a "criminal" to the appropriate authorities.

Another example of a man's word being his honor -- once he'd written anything about Jamie's identity in his log, it's not even possible to consider deleting or altering the record, no matter how much he might wish to help Claire.

Lucky for Claire that Annekje knows the islands so well! I like that Claire understood the stakes even before Captain Leonard spoke to her. She already knew that she'd end up as bait for Jamie. Boy, does Claire have guts! Can you imagine jumping off a ship into unknown waters, acting only on faith that the currents would take you ashore?

Um, no. But, Claire has always been far more courageous than I.

Couldn't the logbook in question have mysteriously been dropped overboard???? Claire always seems to find a way to accomplish insurmountable tasks!!!

I think that the assumption is the logbook is an official record of the ship. Notice the entries for DD - they are the record of deceased crewmen. I believe that logbooks have also been used in maritime boards of inquiry. So, I take Captain Leonard at his word that the log entries cannot be changed.

I do find it interesting that they are concerned about the log entry regarding Jamie will be turned over to authorities, which should be a civil matter. But, the new governor is on the ship! (Yes, I realize that Claire does not know that the governor knows Jamie.) So, why couldn't Captain Leonard appeal to Lord John?

I believe that Claire and Annekje are the only women on the ship. Recall that Annekje's husband was stricken with the plague, but apparently did not die. So, Annekje would be indebted to Claire for nursing her husband and keeping him alive.

Yes, Claire is very courageous. She is desperate to escape the ship and try to warn Jamie. She has some confidence in the advice that Annekje is giving regarding the currents taking her to the island.