16 Running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
And running under - Running near to an island. They ran near to it, where the violence of the wind was probably broken by the island,
Which is called Clauda - This is a small island about 20 miles southwest of Crete.
We had much work - Much difficulty; we were scarcely able to do it.
To come by the boat - This does not mean that they attempted here to land in the boat, but they had much difficulty in saving the small boat attached to the ship by lifting it into the ship. The importance of securing the small boat is known by all seamen.
A certain island - called Clauda - Called also Gaudos; situated at the south-western extremity of the island of Crete, and now called Gozo, according to Dr. Shaw.
Much work to come by the boat - It was likely to have been washed overboard; or, if the boat was in tow, at the stern of the vessel, which is probable, they found it very difficult to save it from being staved, or broken to pieces.
And running under a certain island,.... Or below a certain island and hard by, it or under the sea shore of it, where the sea might be smoother, the wind not being there so strong:
which is called Clauda: by Ptolomy (x) it is called Claudus, and was near the island of Crete, and now called Gozo. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, and some copies, read "Cauda"; and there was an island near to Crete, which was called Gaudos (y), and is thought to be the place here meant:
we had much work to come by the boat; which they had with them to go ashore in, or to betake themselves to in case of shipwreck; and which in this storm was in danger of being dashed to pieces against the ship, or lost; and it was with some difficulty that they came at it, and took it up into the ship.
(x) Geograph. l. 3. c. 17. (y) Mela, l. 2. c. 7. Plin. l. 4. c. 12.
under--the lee of.
a certain--"small"
island . . . Clauda--southwest of Crete, now called Gonzo; about twenty-three miles to leeward.
we had much work to come by--that is, to hoist up and secure.
the boat--now become necessary. But why was this difficult? Independently of the gale, raging at the time, the boat had been towed between twenty and thirty miles after the gale sprang up, and could scarcely fail to be filled with water [SMITH].
We were hardly able to get masters of the boat - To prevent its being staved.
*More commentary available at chapter level.