Pliny - The Eruption of Vesuvius: Section A

iam navibus cinis incidebat

ash was falling onto the ships now

quo proprius accederent, calidior et densior

hotter and denser the closer they went

iam pumices etiam

now it was even pumice

nigrique et ambusti et fracti igne lapides

and rocks that were blackened and burned and shattered by the fire

iam vadum subitum

now there was sudden shallow water

ruinaque montis litora obstantia

and debris from the mountain that blocked the shore

cunctatus paulum

having paused for a moment

an retro flecteret

wondering whether to turn back

mox gubernatori ut ita faceret monenti 'fortes' inquit 'fortuna iuvat

he soon said to the helmsman, who was advising him to do just that, 'Fortune favours the brave'

Pomponianus pete.'

head for Pomponianus