noon
An officer stood ready to give the signal as soon as the time arrived for the working party to be relieved . Daylight at length returned , but showed no improvement in the weather ; the wind blew as furiously as ever . Not for a moment had the brave admiral left his post . Just before noon a prodigious sea came rolling towards the ship , and , breaking over her bow , washed fore and aft , filling her from the hatches up to the spar-deck . For some time it appeared impossible that she could shake herself clear of the mass of water , which , as it rushed aft , dashed the men from the helm , forcing the tiller out of their hands , and tossed them helplessly from side to side . It seemed a wonder that none were carried overboard or received mortal injury . The admiral , too , was thrown from his seat and , as were several officers round him , cast with his face on the deck .