§4.29.1Eadem nocte accidit ut esset luna plena, qui dies maritimos aestus maximos in Oceano efficere consuevit, nostrisque id erat incognitum.
On the same night, it happened that there was a full moon, which day was accustomed to cause the greatest maritime tides in the Ocean, and this was unknown to our men.
§4.29.2Ita uno tempore et longas naves, [quibus Caesar exercitum transportandum curaverat,] quas Caesar in aridum subduxerat, aestus complebat, et onerarias, quae ad ancoras erant deligatae, tempestas adflictabat, neque ulla nostris facultas aut administrandi aut auxiliandi dabatur.
Thus, at one and the same time, the tide was filling the war-ships, [with which Caesar had provided for the transporting of the army,] which Caesar had drawn up onto dry land, and the storm was damaging the transport ships, which were bound to anchors; nor was any opportunity of either managing them or rendering assistance given to our men.
§4.29.3Compluribus navibus fractis, reliquae cum essent funibus, ancoris reliquisque armamentis amissis ad navigandum inutiles, magna, id quod necesse erat accidere, totius exercitus perturbatio facta est.
Many ships having been broken, since the rest, with their cables, anchors, and other tackling lost, were useless for sailing, a great panic, which was bound to happen, arose in the entire army.
§4.29.4Neque enim naves erant aliae quibus reportari possent, et omnia deerant quae ad reficiendas naves erant usui, et, quod omnibus constabat hiemari in Gallia oportere, frumentum in his locis in hiemem provisum non erat.
For there were no other ships by which they could be carried back, and all things were lacking which were of use for repairing the ships, and, because it was clear to everyone that they must winter in Gaul, grain had not been provided in these places for the winter.