The first mate won and said, "I'll take the man at the wheel." The second mate's choice then fell to a sailor at the right end of the line.

Then they selected men alternately until they were divided into two equal parts.

The first mate's watch being known as the starboard and the second mate's as the port watch.

One watch was then ordered below while the other remained on deck.

Soon after Paul was relieved from the wheel by another seaman and walking forward met the sailor who had been knocked down by the first mate as he came aboard.