She slowed and Lister saw the black hulk swing up and ride forward on a giant roller's top.

It looked as if she were coming on board the tug, and Lister jumped through and slammed the iron door.

Brown would need him now.
He heard the roar of water on deck, there was a crash of broken glass, and a shower fell on his head.

A cloud of steam and a loud hissing came from the stokehold, and he knew the sea that swept the tug had covered the gratings.

If she stuck, the next sea would swamp her and drown the fires, but she had not altogether stopped.