The rows of plates were red with rust and encrusted by shells.

When the smooth undulations sank, long weed swung about in the sandy water.
Lister thought the story of the wreck was, on the surface, plain.
Steaming out with a heavy load, _Arcturus_ had struck the bar.

The surf had beaten in her hatches, broken some plates, and afterwards washed her back across the sand.

Then, while the captain tried to reach the beach, she had sunk in deeper water.

The story was plausible, but, if Cartwright had found the proper clew, it did not account for all.
They rowed round _Arcturus_.