Chapter 5 Summary

The ship is becalmed for an unusually long period of time and eventually drifts near to St. Paul's Rocks, rocky islets near the coast of Brazil. Throughout the entire voyage Stanhope has remained below decks, severely seasick. On Sunday, Aubrey holds church and Mr. White delivers a lengthy and tedious sermon. Aubrey then conducts a thorough inspection of the entire ship. He notes that the sail locker is in deplorable condition and many of the sails are molding—he orders a complete cleaning and turning-over of the sails. Aubrey notes with alarm that scurvy appears to be coming on among many of the men, including Mr. Nicolls, the 2nd lieutenant, who appears for inspection unclean and disheveled.

After church services Maturin looks longingly at St. Paul's Rocks, some two miles distant. Nicolls volunteers to row Maturin to the islets and the pair...