he was sorry to find his descriptions borne out when they came to the allegiance the next morning , at sheerness dockyard : it was not pleasant to see their familiar and faithful transport all at loose ends , her crew a sad and surly crowd of pressed landsmen , some of them not far removed from the poor wretches who could be heard - and smelled - down beneath , clanking restlessly in the irons which must restrain them , so close to shore .