She could not keep the bow of the boat around to the seas.

It persisted in lying broadside on, where it took the full force of the waves.
"There comes a boat," cried Jane, who had been on the upper deck, waving a sheet as a signal that they were in distress.

All hands peered toward the mainland.

They saw a launch making slow progress toward them.

The little boat seemed to be standing with her bow in the air most of the time.