12
Since the harbor was not suitable for spending the winter, the majority was in favor of putting to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, where they could spend the winter. It was a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest.
13
When a moderate south wind began to blow, they thought they could achieve their purpose; so they weighed anchor and began to sail past Crete, close to the shore.
14
But soon a violent wind, called the northeaster, rushed down from Crete.
15
Since the ship was caught and could not be turned head-on into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven.
16
By running under the lee of a small island called Cauda we were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control.
17
After hoisting it up they took measures to undergird the ship; then, fearing that they would run on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and so were driven.
18
We were being pounded by the storm so violently that on the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard,
19
and on the third day with their own hands they threw the ship's tackle overboard.
20
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.