Chapter XXXV · Chapter 35

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

heighten or intensify

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

confidently declared to be so

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

the act of subjecting to strong attack

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

the two together, not just one

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

a state of extreme confusion and disorder

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

having gaps or spaces

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

a relatively long dagger with a straight blade

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

past form of “evolve” — work out

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

set up or found

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

past form of “founder” — fail utterly; collapse

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

(accounting) an intangible asset valued according to the advantage or reputation a business has acquired (over and above its tangible assets)

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

plural of “hardship” — a state of misfortune or affliction

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

impossible to subdue

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

an accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

having a crew

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

not any; not one

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

on one occasion

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

plural of “privation” — a state of extreme poverty

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

plural of “pump” — a mechanical device that moves fluid or gas by pressure or suction

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

draw back, as with fear or pain

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

either of two large northern marine mammals having ivory tusks and tough hide over thick blubber

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

transport commercially

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

past form of “spare” — refrain from harming

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

(music) the system of five horizontal lines on which the musical notes are written

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But it was amid such scenes of storm and stress that the indomitable spirit of Dirk Hartog asserted itself, and seemed to animate both officers and crew with something of his own courage and determination.

a mountainous island in western Indonesia

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

a narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading Forgetting the hardships and privations through which we had passed, we set to work, under the magic of his influence, with such goodwill that, in the space of some six hours, order had been evolved out of chaos, and our vessel once more rode the sea in safety.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Had it not been that the "Golden Seahorse" was a new ship, upon which no expense had been spared in the building, we must have foundered.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

at the time that

From this reading The pumps were then manned, when it was found that although much water was in the hold, it was easily gained upon, from which we concluded that no leak had sprung in our timbers, notwithstanding the battering they had received.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

in the company of; together with

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.

the remaining parts of something that has been wrecked

From this reading SUMATRA All hands now set to work to cut away the wreckage of our masts and rigging, which, as the ship rolled in the trough of the sea, threatened to stave in the hull as the spars dashed against it with each recoil.