11:30 p.m.
This , the launch and pinnace being safely in the water , was Bob 's next task , to which he devoted himself coolly but with all alacrity . The boats ' water-breakers , which were slung , ready filled , between the fore and after gallows , under two of the gigs -LRB- each breaker bearing painted upon it the name of the boat to which it belonged -RRB- , were cast adrift and passed into their proper boats as they were lowered , and then followed as large a quantity of provisions as could possibly be stowed away without too much encumbering the movements of the occupants . Meanwhile the scuppers had all been carefully plugged up , the decks pierced , and all hands set to work with buckets , etcetera , to flood them , and still the fire increased in volume . It was 11:30 p.m. by the time that the boats were veered astern , fully equipped , and ready to receive their human freight ; and at midnight the main-mast fell , flames at the same time bursting up through the saloon-companion and skylight . Upon perceiving this it became evident to Captain Staunton that it was quite hopeless to further prolong the fight ; the crew had been for four hours exerting themselves to their utmost capacity , with the fire gaining steadily upon them the whole time ; they were now completely exhausted , and the fire was blazing furiously almost throughout the devoted ship ; he therefore considered he had done his full duty and was now quite justified in abandoning the unfortunate _ Galatea _ to her fiery doom . He accordingly gave orders for the crew to desist from their efforts , to collect their effects , and to muster again upon the quarter - deck with all possible expedition . The men needed no second bidding , they saw that the moments of the good ship were numbered ; and , throwing down whatever they happened to have in their hands , they made a rush for the forecastle , and there , in the midst of the already blinding and stifling smoke , proceeded hurriedly to gather together their few belongings .