twelve
o'clock at night
My watch was nearly out . I was thinking that I should not be sorry to get below , and go fast asleep . Now , ` you gentlefolks of England , who stay at home at ease , ' will , I dare say , fancy that no one could go to sleep under such circumstances ; but for us sailors it would never do if we allowed a gale of wind or any such trifle to keep us awake when it was not our watch on deck . The officer of the watch had just ordered eight bells to be struck , that is to say , it was the end of the first watch , or twelve o'clock at night , when a voice from forward shrieked out -- for it was not an ordinary hail , but a cry which showed that life or death depended on the words being heard . '' ` Iceberg ahead ! Port the helm ! -- port -- port -- luff -- luff !