the hour of eight
This they did with tumultuous joy , which Mr Gordon checked , and said to them , `` Whilst you are working silently , thank God for your miraculous preservation . '' The sea upon which the vessel rose was the means of her preservation and that of her crew . Probably there was not , if the sea had been calm , a depth of two feet water on the Carr Rock , for it was that dangerous reef she had passed ; but the mighty wave carried her safe over at a moment when every hope but that of immortality was gone from the minds of the ship 's company . -LSB- I -RSB- The tempest having somewhat abated , and the wind veered round to a more favourable quarter , the vessel rode more smoothly , and the hour of eight being arrived , all hands were enabled to sit up and take coffee for breakfast . For about three hours the ship had been working up the Firth , and had come off Anstruther , into which port she entered shortly afterwards , in order to undergo a survey , and get all necessary repairs completed in hull and rigging ; and as the vessel had been seen from the _ Windmill Tower _ and the _ Brae _ all the morning to be in great distress , the eastern pier -LRB- for the west pier had not then been built -RRB- was crowded with spectators to witness her arrival . Amongst others who had gone down the pier was Captain John Cunningham , the provost or chief magistrate of the burgh , who , being a sea captain himself , deeply sympathised both as a sailor and a man with the officers and crew of the _ Arethusa _ , on seeing them in such a miserable plight , and proffered to afford them all the aid and assistance in his power . He got into conversation with Mr Gordon , and found him so intelligent and gentlemanly in his manners , that he invited him to his house -LRB- which stood in the Shore Street , and on the east side of the Pend Wynd , and was that which formerly belonged to the late Mr Willis , collector of customs , and is presently possessed by Mrs Rodger , Mr Imrie , and others -RRB- , until the vessel was repaired and made ready for sea .