noon
Here we were obliged to come to an anchor , and here we lay , the wind continuing contrary -- viz. at south-west -- for seven or eight days , during which time a great many ships from Newcastle came into the same Roads , as the common harbour where the ships might wait for a wind for the river . We had not , however , rid here so long but we should have tided it up the river , but that the wind blew too fresh , and after we had lain four or five days , blew very hard . However , the Roads being reckoned as good as a harbour , the anchorage good , and our ground-tackle very strong , our men were unconcerned , and not in the least apprehensive of danger , but spent the time in rest and mirth , after the manner of the sea ; but the eighth day , in the morning , the wind increased , and we had all hands at work to strike our topmasts , and make everything snug and close , that the ship might ride as easy as possible . By noon the sea went very high indeed , and our ship rode forecastle in , shipped several seas , and we thought once or twice our anchor had come home ; upon which our master ordered out the sheet-anchor , so that we rode with two anchors ahead , and the cables veered out to the bitter end . By this time it blew a terrible storm indeed ; and now I began to see terror and amazement in the faces even of the seamen themselves . The master , though vigilant in the business of preserving the ship , yet as he went in and out of his cabin by me , I could hear him softly to himself say , several times , `` Lord be merciful to us ! we shall be all lost !