Complex sentence: On 2 May Bligh realised that an attack was imminent and directed his men back out to sea, shortly before the Tofuans seized the launch's stern rope and made repeated attempts to drag it ashore.
Split into simpler sentences: On 2 May Bligh realised that an attack was imminent. He directed his men back to the sea, shortly before the Tofuans seized the launch's stern rope and attempted to drag it ashore.