What metaphors are used in Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C. S. Forester?

The Judeo-Christian account of Noah's Ark can be found in Genesis, chapters 6 to 9; it also occurs with some variation in the Qur'an and similar myths are found in many—perhaps most—of the world's cultures. Here the ark serves as a symbol of life via animals and the reliable Hornblower acts as a humorous type of Noah, his crew naturally being symbolically composed of Shem and Ham. Midshipman Bracegirdle laughs about Hornblower's service and makes the metaphor, but not in a mean-spirited way. The title makes the chapter read something like a mythic voyage. In this sense Hornblower is the mythic hero who is educated by Tapling; together they face the doom of Oran but come off conquerors. They make their lengthy sojourn through the wilderness of the Mediterranean and finally bring home the fruits of their labors to a needy civilization. It makes an interesting read of an otherwise rather banal episode and places Hornblower in the company of some rather exalted sailors.