The Captain Timeline and Summary

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The Captain Timeline and Summary

  • The captain lies injured at the bow.
  • He gives direction to the oiler and correspondent, both manning the oars, to keep to the south.
  • A bird tries to land on the captain's head.
  • The captain spots a lighthouse on the horizon, and heads for it.
  • The captain wishes they had a sail, and instructs the men to hold his overcoat up as a makeshift sail. It works until the wind dies down.
  • He reminds the men to save their strength, in case they have to swim for shore.
  • They near the lighthouse, but realize there's no one there to see them.
  • The captain decides they should attempt to get to shore themselves.
  • The attempt doesn't go well. He directs the oiler to row back to sea.
  • He suggests they trade addresses and information about their loves ones, in case one of them doesn't survive.
  • The captain quietly stays awake all night.
  • In the morning, the captain decides they must try again for shore while they still have some strength remaining.
  • The captain urges them to jump clear of the boat when it capsizes.
  • When the boat tips, the captain swims back toward it and grabs hold of the hull. He doesn't let go, in spite of the pounding waves. It's an impressive feat of strength.
  • He spots the cook floating by carrying an oar, and instructs him to flip onto his back and paddle to shore.
  • He spots the correspondent and calls him over to the boat.
  • The man helping rescue them comes over to the captain, but he waves him away to help someone else.