about five o'clock in
the morning
The halyards were lowered and the yards properly braced up , while the Janson was brought to under the canvas we have before described . In a few minutes more the wind had increased to a gale , and , as the sailors say , several times the old craft `` would n't look at it . '' Several times we had to put her helm up , and as many times she shipped those forcing cross seas which drive every thing before them , and sweep the decks . At length a piece of canvas was lashed to the fore-rigging which gave her a balance , and she rode easy until about five o'clock in the morning , when by a sudden broach the canvas was carried away , and a tremendous sharp sea boarded her forward ; starting several stanchions , carrying away part of her starboard bulwark and rail , and simultaneously the foretop-gallant-mast , which snapped just above the withe . As a natural consequence , every thing was in the utmost confusion -- the old hull worked in every timber . The wreck swayed to and fro , retarding the working of the vessel and endangering the lives of those who attempted to clear it from obstruction . Thus she remained for more than half an hour , nearly on her beam-ends , and at the mercy of each succeeding sea that threatened to engulf her .