In an instant six men of the crew were in the water, while the boat floated away by itself.
There was a rush of feet on deck, loud shouts and cries of "Throw them a rope," "Set adrift the life buoy," "Where's that life belt ?" and the like.
The men at mess jumped up, overturning cups and plates and dishes of food.

One forecastle man pulled off his jumper and dove in to help.
The sea ladder was put over the side and "Long Tommy" went down it, taking with him a piece of line; this he slipped under the arms of Rowland, the forecastle man, who had struck an oar on the way down, and was hurt.

The man was soon hauled up on deck.

The other four were also rescued.

One went floating calmly off on the life buoy and was picked up by the gig, and the rest caught rope-ends and were safely hauled aboard, none the worse for their involuntary bath.
Lines were coiled down again, the sea ladder unshipped and put in its place, and soon all was quiet and shipshape again--but we discovered that two spit kits and a monkey-wrench had been thrown overboard to aid the sinking sailors.
"It's an ill wind that blows nobody good," quoted the "Kid," who happened to be sweeper that week.