About ten o'clock
All night the victors were engaged in suppressing the flames . Not until daylight were the flames got under ; but though the pumps were kept continually going , the water in the hold still gained . A few hours after sunrise the Richard was deserted for the Serapis and the other vessels of the squadron of Paul . About ten o'clock the Richard , gorged with slaughter , wallowed heavily , gave a long roll , and blasted by tornadoes of sulphur , slowly sunk , like Gomorrah , out of sight . The loss of life in the two ships was about equal ; one-half of the total number of those engaged being either killed or wounded . In view of this battle one may ask -- What separates the enlightened man from the savage ? Is civilization a thing distinct , or is it an advanced stage of barbarism ?