27 ³⁹ When day broke they could not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a sandy beach, on which they planned, if possible, to run the ship ashore. 27 ⁴⁰ So they slipped the anchors and let them go; at the same time they loosened the lashings of the steering-paddles, set the foresail to the wind, and let her drive to the beach. 27 ⁴¹ But they found themselves caught between cross-currents and ran the ship aground, so that the bow stuck fast and remained immovable, while the stem was being pounded to pieces by the breakers. 27 ⁴² The soldiers thought they had better kill the prisoners for fear that any should swim away and escape; 27 ⁴³ but the centurion wanted to bring Paul safely through and prevented them from carrying out their plan. He gave orders that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land; 27 ⁴⁴ the rest were to follow, some on planks, some on parts of the ship. And thus it was that all came safely to land.