Not many lights could be seen on the sea. Even the coastal steamships, which usually stay close to the shore were staying well away from the coast. Only a few fishing boats were in sight. The only sails that could be seen were on a foreign ship which was sailing to the west.

Whilst the ship was in sight, many people said that the ship's officers must be foolish or ignorant. They tried to signal the ship to tell it to take down its sails because the coming storm looked dangerous. Before the night, the ship was still visible. The sails were idly flapping as the ship rolled on the gentle waves of the sea.

Just before ten o'clock, the air grew very heavy and still. The air was so still that people could easily hear the bleating of a sheep inland or the barking of a dog in the town. The band on the pier was playing a lively French tune. This seemed completely out of place in the huge silence of nature.