How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
Our course for the first four days was, with trifling variations, S. E. and by South; and we must have run down the coast of New Holland. (7)
The information here aims to be accurate, establishing the narrator's location, which makes the big whammy of moving into more fantastic areas all the more jolting. And before you go wondering how accurate this info can be if he's citing a place called New Holland, rest assured—that's just an old-school name for Australia.
Quote #2
We were, however, well aware of having made farther to the southward than any previous navigators, and felt extreme amazement at not meeting with the usual impediments of ice. (8)
Poe also uses descriptions to show us that the narrator is beyond the realm of explored seas and into someplace new. We get the idea that this guy has done a bit of exploring in his day, but this current adventure for sure takes the cake.
By stressing the unexpected features (i.e., no ice), the narrator opens up the possibility of something really wild and outrageous showing up at a later point. He's laying the groundwork early on.
Quote #3
All in the immediate vicinity of the ship is the blackness of eternal night, and a chaos of foamless water. (9)
The statement places the narrator in uncharted waters… literally. It also emphasizes the dangers of going where no one has gone before.
Quote #4
She rose up, like a demon of the deep, slowly from the dim and horrible gulf beyond her I have been looking at the timbers of the ship. She is built of a material to which I am a stranger. (17)
Exploration doesn't always have to be geographical. The black galleon itself becomes something new to discover, with the narrator learning strange and sometimes disturbing facts about it once he jumps on board.
Quote #5
Around them on every part of the deck lay scattered mathematical instruments of the most quaint and obsolete construction. (19)
The strange instruments drum up yet another mystery to be explored: just how old is this ship? They also suggest that reaching this part of the ocean takes more than ordinary navigation: it takes something weird and out-of-the-ordinary.
Quote #6
I must suppose the ship to be within the influence of some strong current, or impetuous under-tow. (20)
The force pulling the ship south seems to be beyond the crew's control, maybe even supernatural. Even if it isn't, it reinforces the narrator's helplessness even in his new surroundings.
Quote #7
It is evident that we are hurrying onwards to some exciting knowledge—some never-to-be-imparted secret, whose attainment is destruction. (25)
Poe links knowledge and danger here: the idea that learning new things and discovering new places may be hazardous to your health. But the question is, does the narrator seem bummed by this notion, or is he game for a little mayhem?
Quote #8
The crew pace the deck with unquiet and tremulous step, but there is upon their countenances an expression more of the eagerness of hope than of the apathy of despair. (26)
Poe adds another wrinkle to his mystery: we assumed the ship was heading somewhere awful, but if it is, then why are these guys so happy? And the mystery only grows deeper when we finally find out where they're headed. We mean, who's pumped to flush themselves down a whirlpool? That's just nuts.