ten in the morning
At each blow from a wave the rolling and pitching ceased for a few seconds , giving the impression that the ship had broken adrift , and was running with the wind , or in the act of sinking ; but when another sea came , she ranged up against it with great force . This latter effect at last became the regular intimation to the anxious men below that they were still riding safely at anchor . No fires could be lighted , therefore nothing could be cooked , so that the men were fain to eat hard biscuits -- those of them at least who were able to eat at all -- and lie in their wet blankets all day . At ten in the morning the wind had shifted to north-east , and blew , if possible , harder than before , accompanied by a much heavier swell of the sea ; it was therefore judged advisable to pay out more cable , in order to lessen the danger of its giving way . During the course of the gale nearly the whole length of the hempen cable , of 120 fathoms , was veered out , besides the chain-moorings , and , for its preservation , the cable was carefully `` served '' , or wattled , with pieces of canvas round the windlass , and with leather well greased in the hawse-hole , where the chafing was most violent . As may readily be imagined , the gentleman on whom rested nearly all the responsibility connected with the work at the Bell Rock , passed an anxious and sleepless time in his darkened berth . During the morning he had made an attempt to reach the deck , but had been checked by the same sea that produced the disasters above described .