Arabella Twigg is an ordinary girl. Her father invents things that don't work. Her mother cooks food no one can eat and her horrid brother, Tom, likes to get her into trouble. Her Gran is crazy but loves Arabella very much. Arabella's life was boring, until strange things suddenly begin to happen to her.

One minute, she is home with her family, and the next, Arabella and Tom find themselves sailing in a fleet with Christopher Columbus, exploring the Americas.

When the ship they are on runs aground and begins to sink, will they be able to escape?