We have come to a halt on the rocks, engines are stopped. All hands are very badly shaken and shocked, but nothing compared to our captain who has been a complete nervous wreck since our cargo of demolition bombs were loaded. Hardly taking time to look the situation over, engines were put full astern again, with helm still hard over. Ship again shook violently as she inched her way off the rocks. Finally cleared engines were changed to half ahead, with intentions of clearing cliff.
Gunnery officer suggests to captain to wait until fog lifts before proceeding.
Being a headstrong master and believing his navigational ability not to be questioned, he decides to proceed against protest by mates and gunnery officer, who have safety of crew in mind. At this moment a deep ramble was heard forward and we were almost shaken off the bridge as she swayed from side to side. Men on the bow were thrown to the decks as she finally jumped to a distinct halt. Engines were put to full astern for some time but to no avail. Here we are high and dry with twelve feet forward instead of our usual twenty-four.