The third quartet begins with an explanation of its title: The Dry Salvages is a group of rocks off the coast of Massachusetts.

The first section begins with a metaphor comparing a river to a stubborn god. Like the god, a river is difficult to manage until a bridge can be built; at this point, the river becomes less of a concern to humans, though it continues to exert its strength. The river, like the god, grows impatient when it is forgotten and ominously waits for an opportunity to demonstrate its power. This river “is within us” (Line 404), while the sea is beyond us, surrounding all of humanity. The sea is full of marvels and beauty, but it can destroy man. Unlike the river, which is compared to one god, the sea “has many voices/Many gods” (413-14). The cries of the gulls are one voice and the bell warning sailors of approaching coastland are another; these voices of the sea are markers of time passing. The women who wait for their sons and husbands to come home from sea are also markers of time.

The second section of the quartet examines the consequences of a shipwreck and the lengthy period of mourning following death at sea.