twenty minutes past twelve
This was a lead weighing twenty pounds , which is dropped on the bottom by men-of-war to determine if the anchor holds , or if the vessel is drifting . `` Station a strong lookout , Mr. Flint , and send a man aloft on the foremast and another on the mainmast , '' continued Christy when the other orders had been obeyed . This completed the preparation for the night . The captain consulted his repeater , and ascertained that it was twenty minutes past twelve . The Bronx was in position to learn the fact if any vessel attempted to run out of St. Andrew 's Bay , provided his calculations in regard to the locality of the Bronx were correct . Christy went down to the deck , and walked aft with Mr. Flint . `` I think some of us need a little sleep to-night , '' said the commander .