four o'clock in the afternoon
Two more anxious days passed , and , in spite of all their efforts , the leak increased till there were ten feet of water in the hold . The Admiral now began to despair of saving the ship . Happily the gale had abated , so he made a signal to the merchantmen still in his company to come down to his assistance , and to take on board his crew . Their boats thickly surrounded his flagship , and by four o'clock in the afternoon all the ship 's company of the _ Ramillies _ were distributed among them . She had by this time fifteen feet of water in her hold . The last sad act of the drama was to be performed . By the directions of the Admiral , her commander , Captain Moriarty , set her on fire fore and aft , and then , with his boat 's crew , pulled on board the merchantman prepared to receive him .