Acts 27:28

and sounded In ancient times, this must have been the only means of feeling their way in dark and stormy weather. The lead must have been in constant use.

found it twenty fathoms The original has no word for "it," which is therefore omitted by R. V.What is meant is "they found twenty fathoms" depth of water." The same omission is found at the end of the verse also.

and when they had gone a little further The verb has no sense of "going," but only implies that they allowed an interval to elapse. The movement of the vessel meanwhile is of course understood, but the simpler rendering of the R. V."after a little space" is to be preferred.

fifteen fathoms So rapid a decrease in the depth of the water shewed them that they would soon be ashore.