The instant that it rode the waves, bouncing up and down on the choppy surface, the crew began leaping in, the drunken mate being the first overside.
The lifeboat was loaded from stem to stern, and only Harrigan, McTee, and half a dozen more remained on the ship when the boat swung a dozen feet away from the _Mary Rogers_ and with the next wave was picked up and smashed against the freighter.

Its side went in like a matchbox pressed by a strong thumb, and it zigzagged quickly below the surface.
The yells of the swimmers rose in a long wail.

McTee caught Harrigan by the shoulder and shouted in his ear: "Stay close and do what I do." "Miss Malone!" yelled Harrigan in answer, and pointed.
She stood by the after-cabin, clinging to the rail with one hand while she attempted to adjust a life preserver with the other.

The _Mary Rogers_ lurched forward, a long slide that buried half of the ship under the sea.

A giant wave towered above the side and licked the wheelhouse away.
"Let her go!" roared McTee.