1 Nephi 18:13

wherefore, they knew not whither they should steer the ship, insomuch, that there arose a great storm, yea, a great and terrible tempest; and we were driven back upon the waters for the space of three days; and they began to be frightened exceedingly, lest they should be drowned in the Sea; nevertheless, they did loose me not.

They didn’t know which way to steer the ship. A great storm came up. It was a terrible storm. We were blown back on the waters for three days. They became very frightened that they would drown in the sea. But they still didn’t untie me.

Without it, they didn’t know how to steer. A massive, terrifying storm hit us, and we were blown backward for three days. They were scared they’d drown, but they still wouldn’t untie me.