after-part of the timber over the leak. Some said it was best to cut the
timber away at once; I bid them hold their tongue and let the carpenter's
mate alone; for he knew best and I hoped he would do his utmost to stop
the leak. I desired him to get everything ready for stopping the violence
of the water, before he cut any further; for fear it should overpower us
at once. I had already ordered the carpenter to bring all the oakum he
had, and the boatswain to bring all the waste cloths to stuff in upon
occasion; and had for the same purpose sent down my own bedclothes. The
carpenter's mate said he should want short stanchions to be placed so
that the upper end should touch the deck, and the under-part rest on what
was laid over the leak; and presently took a length for them. I asked the
master-carpenter what he thought best to be done: he replied till the
leak was all open, he could not tell. Then he went away to make a
stanchion, but it was too long: I ordered him to make many of several
lengths, that we might not want of any size. So once more desiring the
carpenter's mate to use his utmost endeavours I went up, leaving the
boatswain and some others there. About 5 o'clock the boatswain came to me
and told me the leak was increased, and that it was impossible to keep
the ship above water; when on the contrary I expected to have had the
news of the leak's being stopped. I presently went down and found the
timber cut away, but nothing in readiness to stop the force of the water
from coming in. I asked them why they would cut the timber before they
had got all things in readiness: the carpenter's mate answered they could
do nothing till the timber was cut that he might take the dimensions of
the place; and that there was a caulk which he had lined out, preparing
by the carpenter's boy. I ordered them in the meantime to stop in oakum,
and some pieces of beef; which accordingly was done, but all to little
purpose: for now the water gashed in with such violence, notwithstanding
all our endeavours to check it, that it flew in over the ceiling; and for
want of passage out of the room overflowed it above 2 foot deep. I
ordered the bulkhead be cut open, to give passage to the water that it
might drain out of the room; and withal ordered to clear away abaft the
bulkhead, that we might bail: so now we had both pumps going and as many
bailing as could; and by this means the water began to decrease; which
gave me some hope of saving the