seven minutes past eleven
Still , George Hanford had operated a twelve-foot motor dingey at one time , Phil Street had sailed a knockabout and all had an average amount of common-sense , and it seemed that , with luck , they might somehow manage to escape death by drowning ! Mr. Chapman surely must have had a good deal of faith in Steve and his companions or he would never have consented to their operating the cruiser without the aid of a seasoned navigator . As for the boys themselves , they anticipated many difficulties and some hazards , but , with the confidence of youth , they expected to `` muddle through , '' and , as Neil said , what they did n't know now they soon would . At exactly seven minutes past eleven by the ship 's clock the _ Adventurer _ gave a prolonged screech and , moorings cast off , edged her way out of the basin and dipped her nose in the laughing waters of the bay , embarked at last on a voyage that was destined to fully vindicate her new name . Two days before they had decided that Steve was to be captain , Joe , chief engineer , Phil , first mate , Perry , second mate , Ossie , steward , Neil , cabin boy and Han , crew . Neil and Han had naturally rebelled at being left without office or title and the omission had been laughingly remedied to their entire satisfaction . In fact , Han was quite stuck up over his official position , pointing out that it might be possible for a boat to get along without a captain or mate or even a steward , but that a crew was absolutely essential .