nearly three o'clock
The first lieutenant and boatswain employed a portion in backing the best bower anchor with the sheet ; the others roued up the cables from the tiers , and coiled them on the main-deck , clear for running . All hands were busily employed , and employment made them forget their fears . The work was done silently , but orderly and steadily . In the meantime we had shoaled to eight fathoms , and it was now nearly three o'clock ; but as it was summer time , the days were long . Indeed , when the weather was fine , there was little or no night , and the weather was warm , which was all in our favour . When everything was reported ready , I went round to examine and ascertain if the cables would run clear . Satisfied that all was right , I then picked out the men , and appointed those who were most trustworthy to the stations of importance ; and , having so done , I then returned to the quarter-deck , and called up the carpenter and some of the topmen to be ready with the axes to cut away the masts and lashings of the booms and boats .