The maelstrom was fierce as the dauntless found herself helplessly swirling round and round. Thunder crackled and the wind roared as the downpour pelted every crewman aboard the unfortunate vessel. One of the men soaked to the very bone, with water pouring off his hat behind him was the Commodore himself, barking orders.
“ Man the capstan!... .Brace up the yards! .. More speed and keep that powder dry! “
But all the orders in the word could not save the ship from crashing upon the rocks , knocking a good portion of the crew around, and sending at least two overboard to be lost at sea.
James lost his own footing and ate the deck, while cargo came free from its hold and landed atop him. And with a mighty groan , the ship nearly capsized, and came apart at once.
What happened next, James was not sure as he had blacked out some time after the cargo landed upon him.. But when he did come around he found himself on dry land... and freezing cold.
James shivered, wet as he was in the colder temperatures and managed to lift his head.
He found Gillette and Groves in similar states and their ship in badly need of repair. The materials of which they did not currently possess on board. And so, despite his state, he struck out to the Kingdom he could see from their current whereabouts, leaving Gillette and Groves in charge and commanding the crew to huddle with whatever blankets they could, as well as start a fire.
The trek was long and difficult, and each gust chilled him further to the bone but he was determined to save his crew and fix the pride of the King’s Navy. So when he did arrive , he used his name to be granted entry.
