Question

what ordeal awaited them on January 2

Answer 1

The winds dropped dark cloud started forming and an enormous wave higher than their main mast approached them.

Almost sank the ship and after this strike, the wave began gushing the ship.

Due to this incident, app people present on the ship had to work nonstop for next three to four days to prevent the ship from sinking.  

Answer 2

Answer:

After they celebrated Christmas, the weather changed for the worse. On the early morning of 2 January, the waves became huge. As the ship rose to the top of each wave, they could see the vast sea rolling towards them.