Acts 27:18

σφοδρῶς δὲ χειμαζομένων ἡμῶν, and as we laboured exceedingly with the storm, i.e. because it continually increased in violence.

ἐκβολὴν ἐποιοῦντο, they lightened the ship. Literally ‘they made a casting overboard.’

For the expression see LXX. Jonah 1:5 ἐκβολὴν ἐποιήσαντο τῶν σκευῶν τῶν ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ.

The verb ἐποιοῦντο, being imperfect, probably has the force of ‘they set about lightening.’ The Latin phrase for the operation is very similar, jacturum facere. The ship was probably carrying corn from Alexandria to Italy, and if so the load would be a heavy one and its removal a great relief to the struggling vessel. On the African supply of corn to Italy cp. Juv. Sat. v. 118 seqq.