 "Eider" fell in with the group as it labored ahead, securing to "Pelican's" starboard side, "Eider" and "Auk" acting much in the fashion of waterwings, keeping their sister ship afloat between them.Difficulties soon arose, however, as the ships struggled toward the Orkneys.A head sea sprang up, tossing the minecraft about and straining moorings and hose lines.