Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
The reef sail is the only reason anyone onboard the ship Sephora lives through a vicious ocean storm. Listen to what the skipper has to say about the ordeal:
I don't mind telling you that I hardly dared give the order. It seemed impossible that we could touch anything without losing it, and then our last hope would have been gone. (2.18)
In other words, Mr. Skipper is taking credit for saving his crew, though Leggatt is quick to argue the point later:
I assure you he never gave the order. He may think he did, but he never gave it. (2.68)
The disagreement over the reef sail helps show how different people can give very different versions of the same story. The skipper and Leggatt also tell different stories about how the murder went down.