Chapter 15 and 16 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 15—One Night...

Bernard dreams of ice fields, though he never sights any ice. The wind is force 8 and he spends time on the ship's deck looking for a gale. Bernard sails quickly before a gale develops. There are balls in the sea and on the stay-sail that glow in the dark. Later, he finds out that this is an effect from a type of plankton. Bernard tries to not let out too much sail, as the sky clears with still rough seas. If Joshua goes too fast it surfs over waves, which is what Joshua likes to do, though it is dangerous. Bernard is so fascinated watching the boat surf that he urinates down his pants leg. There are some heavy waves that temporarily bury the bowsprit in the front. The whole day the weather has been...