I would say the answer to this question is pain
Many people might have impulse control problems. But, other than that humans are mostly in self control.
here are some examples:
1). Not Obeying the laws. Although people love to blame missing that stop sign or not stopping at the red light on many things, they were in control.
2). of what you say. You're in control of what you say. (unless you actually have a disorder such as tourettes)
The narrator of the story wants the ship to end by being destroyed in a battle or storm, instead of being completely dismantled and turned into scrap metal.
