Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern. 'The ordinary way (says Mr. Smith) was to cast the anchor, as now, from the bow; but ancient ships, built with both ends alike, were fitted with hawseholes in the stern, so that in case of need they could anchor either way. And when the fear was, as here, that they might fall on the rocks to leeward, and the intention was to run the ship ashore as soon as daylight enabled them to fix upon a safe spot-the very best thing they could do was to anchor by the stern. In stormy weather two anchors were used, and we have instances of four being employed, as here.'
And wished ('anxiously,' or 'devoutly wished') for the day - the remark this of one present, and, with all his shipmates, alive to the horrors of their condition. 'The ship (says Mr. Smith) might go down at her anchors, or the coast to leeward might be iron-bound, affording no beach on which they could land with safety. Hence, their anxious longing for day, and the ungenerous but natural attempt-not special to ancient times-of the seamen to save their own lives by taking to the boat.'