midnight
There was no moon , the satellite , then well advanced in her fourth quarter , not rising until toward morning ; and it was very cold , a light breeze from the north-east having sprung up about the end of the second dog-watch . We were by that time well down toward the mouth of the Thames estuary , the Tongue lightship being about a point and a half before our port beam , while Margate lights were broad on our starboard bow , the ship heading a trifle to the south of east as she edged in toward the land preparatory to hauling round the North Foreland . There was a small easterly swell running , just enough to impart motion to the ship and let us know that we were afloat , and we were slipping along at a fine rate upon the last of the ebb tide , and as smoothly and as free from vibration as though we had been under sail . We rounded the North Foreland just before midnight ; and when at eight bells Mr Briscoe came on deck to relieve Mr Kennedy I heard the latter instruct him to get the ship under canvas , and , as soon as she was under command , stop the engine and have the propeller feathered . Then I went below , very tired , to snatch four hours ' sleep before turning out to keep the morning watch . I tumbled into my bunk and instantly fell asleep , only to be awakened the next moment , as it seemed to me , by a quartermaster , who informed me , as he switched on the light , that it wanted ten minutes to eight bells . Accordingly I hopped out of bed , washed and dressed , and was in the act of ascending the poop ladder when eight bells struck .