Final answer:
The provided texts do not contain enough context to answer why Dimmesdale considers it fortunate that a ship is not sailing for four days, as no character by that name or relevant situation is mentioned in the extracts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question appears to be based on a literary work, more specifically regarding a character named Dimmesdale who considers it fortunate that a ship is not set to sail for four days. However, the texts provided do not contain a direct reference to a character named Dimmesdale or the ship's sailing schedule related to him. The provided extracts seem to depict a group of individuals struggling at sea, considering their fate, and dealing with the physical and emotional challenges of their situation. The content suggests scenes from a maritime tale likely exploring themes of survival, hope, and human endurance.
Without the context of Dimmesdale or the specific work he is from, it's not possible to accurately answer why the character considers the delayed sailing of the ship fortunate.