It was now nearly the end of September and the close of the sailing season. After `the fast', which was the Day

of Atonement, `sailing was dangerous'. The Greeks dated the opening of the sailing weather as `after Dionysia'.

We must not misjudge these ancient navigators. They had neither chart nor compass, but steered by the stars,

consequently in that part of the year, when for lengthy periods `neither sun nor stars might appear', the seamen

naturally hesitated to try the open sea. Discussions evidently took place as to whether they should winter where they

were, or take the next favourable chance of sailing along the coast another thirty-four miles, and wintering in

Phenice (27:12). Prisoner though he was, the apostle was permitted a voice in these proceedings, and said:

`Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of

our lives' (27:10).

However, the centurion and the owner of the vessel were of the opposite opinion. Fair Havens had little to offer as a

winter resort, whereas Phenice (the modern Lutro), but a few hours' sail away, was the only real harbour in Crete,

safe in all weathers, and much used by Alexandrian corn-ships.

At this point we pause to draw attention to the phrase, `if by any means they might attain to' (27:12). The

language here is unambiguous, and the facts of the case prove that the element of doubt rightly adheres in these

words. When, during the next year or more, the apostle, who had passed through this terrible experience, came to

write the Epistle to the Philippians, he uses the same expression saying,'if by any means I might attain unto the

out-resurrection from among the dead' (Phil. 3:11). To remove from these words the same element of uncertainty

that must be allowed them in Acts 27, has the appearance of handling the word of God deceitfully. If in Philippians

3:11 Paul meant only that resurrection which is the common hope of the church, uncertainty of attainment would

have been foreign to the subject, but if he was speaking of a prize which will be awarded at `that day' by the Lord in

His capacity of `the righteous Judge', then the element of uncertainty is rightly an integral part of the passage, for a

prize to be won, and that could not be lost, is a contradiction in terms. If the prize of Philippians be kept distinct

from the common calling, or the blessed hope of the church, truth will be seen both in Ephesians and Philippians,

but if we confound Hope and Prize, a greater shipwreck than was Paul's experience awaits us.

But to resume.

`And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they

sailed close by Crete' (27:13).

From Fair Havens to Cape Matala was but four or five miles, so that with a gentle southerly wind the cape would

be weathered, and the thirty-five miles from that point easily covered. It is possible that fair weather sails were set,

and we know from verse 16 that a boat was in tow, so with hearts lightened and a good prospect before them the

ship once more set sail.

How often in life does not that `south wind blow softly', over-riding the severer counsels of grace and truth.

Alas! the gentle breathing of the south wind in the sails and cordage was but a siren song, for scarcely had they

passed the cape than a typhoon burst upon them. The word tuphonikos describes the circular whirling of the clouds

caused by the meeting of the S. and the E.N.E. winds. Both Pardy's Sailing Directory and Smith's Voyage and

Shipwreck, say that this is exactly what might have been expected. The ancient name for this wind is `The

Euroclydon', and the modern name is `The Levanter'. This awful wind `seized' the ship in its grasp so that the

helmsman could not `look at the wind'. The suddenness of the storm allowed no time to furl the mainsail, a

circumstance which left them no alternative but to scud before the gale.

The island of Clauda lies twenty miles S.W. of Cape Matala, and the fact that the wind drove the vessel towards

that island, made the sailors fear lest it should drive them into Syrtis, the quicksands which are off the African coast

at this point. Though temporarily protected by the shelter of the island of Clauda, they had `much work to come by

the boat', which, however, was eventually hauled aboard, when more serious operations were demanded.

`They used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so

were driven' (27:17).