half past three
In all the annals of British seamanship there is no more heroic story than that of the fight between the Resolution and the six French men of war . From six in the morning until half past three in the afternoon she maintained the unequal contest , still keeping on under full sail toward her port , only yawing occasionally to pour a broadside into one or other of her foes . They were now running along the coast , and the peasants on the distant hills must have watched with astonishment the unequal fight as the vessels pressed on past them . By half past three the Resolution was little more than a wreck . Her sails were riddled with holes , many of her spars shot away , her sides ragged and torn , and many of her crew killed , but the remainder of the crew still fought their guns unflinchingly . `` We can do no more , '' Captain Mordaunt said to Jack . `` The carpenter has just reported that the mainmast is so seriously injured that at any moment it may go over the side .