Bill:

Try this as a translation as well as explanation:

This ship is in a major storm, wallowing (hogging) in the water (the sagging probably refers to the feeling that the ship is flexing, which all such creatures do). Someone was placing bets on when the ship would break apart. Whenever the ship crested a wave and careened down the other side, her propeller would come free from the water, meaning it would spin freely (race). When this happens there is sudden strain on the entire power train, particularly on the bearings, which operate best at a steady rate.

The sea was pounding on the outside of her hull, and the crew hoped the drive train bearings would not fail. This latter is very important because a ship not under power cannot keep the head into the wind. It will quickly turn sideways to the waves and founder or at least capsize. About the only thing the crew can do when there's a catastrophic power failure is to put out a sea anchor and hope it keeps the ship bow on to the waves.

As a woodworker who likes exotic lumber, I have some interest in odd types of wood, one of which is called lignum vitae. This wood is extremely hard and durable, and very difficult to find now. It was routinely used for bearings in ships as well as in other applications. In fact, there is a power plant built by Edison somewhere in the US Northeast that has LV bearings in the generators. Believe it or not, these wood bearings have been in continous service for a hundred years!


Ted


TEd