Leaving Oregon, the HMS Beagle set a northward course to Everett Washington, just north of Seattle. Again the voyage was inland from the coast between the coastal mountains and the Cascade range to starboard. The most prominent mountain in the cascade range on this part of the journey was Mount St Helens, a volcano which erupted in 1980. The Cascades are still potentially active.
The voyage was uneventful until the Beagle made a stop to take on fuel at a Pilot travel centre near Tumwater Washington. While the Sailing master was negotiating the purchase of fuel at the cashiers desk, a friendly trucker in the next fueling island gained the Captain’s attention to point out that the leading tire on the starboard side of the Beagle had been shredded beyond repair. This must have happened within the last hour as the Beagle had pulled in to a rest stop for lunch and the tire had been whole at that point.
To the relief of the crew, the rear tire of the Beagle had been able to keep the Beagle from running on the rim of the leading tire, thus saving the rim for the mounting of a new tire. Before leaving Mississauga, the crew had made arrangements through the Good Sam Club for road side assistance. Contact was made and help arrived in about one hour. The spare tire was mounted and the old rim put in storage. While waiting for this service, the Captain noticed that the leading tire on the port side had a crack in the sidewall and as such might also have to be replaced. The Beagle then made port in Everett and arrived later than planned but were able to set up for the night.
The next morning, inquiries were made as to the best place to obtain tires for RVs. The recommendation was that a purveyor of tires by the name of Les Schwab was excellent and was located near by. The crew brought the Beagle to the tire dealer and was able to review the problem with the service representative. It quickly became apparent that the original equipment, much like the trailer hitch, were under rated for the weight of the Beagle. The crew was able to purchase four new tires that were rated for the weigh of the Beagle and had them installed. This of course took a considerable part of the day so it was not possible for the crew to visit the City of Seattle as the Beagle was scheduled to depart for Vancouver BC the next day.
Much relieved, the crew made ready for the next day’s voyage, looking forward to the Beagle’s return to Canada.