This order surprised Paul as it was very unusual for any work to be done on Sunday except to stand watch, steer and trim sail.

He made no remark, however, but proceeded to the deck and ordered all hands out.

The men let their washing, sewing, and other domestic duties to which they generally devoted their attention on Sunday, and came on deck more astonished than Paul was.

He then told the boatswain to get out the chain hooks.

The captain now appeared and gave the order to "hoist away that starboard chain and trice it along the deck." This was a terrible job as fully sixty fathoms of the heavy anchor chain lay stowed away in the chain locker below.