Amidst an extremely devastating storm, we can find a few very curious portions of this page.

Upon an initial reading we encounter S contemplating escape and continuing to romanticize the storm, and then a massive onslaught of water while the crew attempts to ready the boat.

However, under closer examination we must recognize a few other things.  First off, there seems to be some sort of theme of supper-natural power running through this section.  We see the waves crashing on the boat with a “preternatural force” (63).  While this could be seen as either not normal or not natural, it appears the later is more accurate, as the next description involves “tufts [which] elongate, stretching downward like stalactites, and then become churning, bruised-looking funnels of water…heading directly toward the ship” (63).  The personification here gives the storm a very alive feeling, as if it is an autonomous being attacking the ship, or perhaps being controlled by the hand of God.  We should also note that this attack comes shortly after “another shift in the pitches and patterns of the whistles” (63).  It almost seems that the crew is setting up an attack on S.  At this point in the novel it is unclear whether or not the crew is on his side or not, but as we continue we must examine what exactly their role and motive is.

While S’s contemplation of escaping is his first courageous move in this storm, he still remains on the boat and “tucks himself into the shelter” (63).

Straka also describes some “curiously green water” which could be a clue about his location, or perhaps a quick jab at industrialization.  While the former would be a fun idea to believe, there does not appear to be any specific spots which are green, although we can find some which are notoriously dirty, perhaps then also being green.

Perhaps there is some sort of divine power playing a role in this section.  However, while the rest of the novel is certainly curious and strange, I would not venture to the point of saying it is highly religious.  While the novel does deal with plenty of philosophical points, it does not venture into the ideas of religion. Thus, one should not spend an exuberant amount of time on this page.