From the log of the Beagle

  MARCH 7th, 1835. -- We stayed three days at Concepcion, and then 
sailed for Valparaiso. The wind being northerly, we only reached the 
mouth of the harbour of Concepcion before it was dark. Being very 
near the land, and a fog coming on, the anchor was dropped. Presently 
a large American whaler appeared alongside of us; and we heard the 
Yankee swearing at his men to keep quiet, whilst he listened for the 
breakers. Captain Fitz Roy hailed him, in a loud clear voice, to 
anchor where he then was. The poor man must have thought the voice 
came from the shore: such a Babel of cries issued at once from the 
ship -- every one hallooing out, "Let go the anchor! veer cable! 
shorten sail!" It was the most laughable thing I ever heard. If the 
ship's crew had been all captains, and no men, there could not have 
been a greater uproar of orders. We afterwards found that the mate 
stuttered: I suppose all hands were assisting him in giving his 
orders."

Courtesy of Peter McGrath from Project Beagle