“...The wind was fresh, the waves grew stronger and stronger - our frigate quickly rolled along the dark abyss of the ocean. The dawn has long since faded at the edge of the empty sky. It was getting dark all around - and only in the distance the masts of the Russian fleet accompanying us blackened, only the lanterns flickered on the ships like stars. I sat at the stern, on the coronade, and admired the giant waves, which seemed to be vying with each other for the frigate, reaching it and crashing against it with a murmur and a splash...”