the whole fleet is now in a very perilous state , most dismasted , all shattered , in thirteen fathoms of water off the shoals of trafalgar and when i made the signal to prepare to anchor , few of the ships had an anchor to let go , their cables being shot , but the same good providence which aided us through such a day , preserved us through the night by the wind shifting a few points and drifting the ships out of danger , except for four of the captured vessels which are now at anchor off trafalgar , and i hope , will ride safe until the coming gale is over .