Here's why:
* Fear of Captain Jaggery: The sailors are terrified of Captain Jaggery, who has a reputation for brutality and ruthlessness. They know that speaking against him would be dangerous for their own lives.
* Loyalty to the ship and the captain: The sailors are bound by their duty to the ship and their captain. They consider Jaggery their leader and are hesitant to betray him, even if they believe Charlotte is innocent.
* The pressure of the trial: The trial is highly biased against Charlotte, with the captain's word holding more weight than hers. The sailors feel powerless to change the outcome, and their testimonies wouldn't likely sway the jury.
Instead of defending Charlotte, the sailors mostly remain silent. Zachariah, the cook, is the only one who provides a brief and ambiguous statement, suggesting that he saw Charlotte at the helm but doesn't explicitly state whether she was steering or not.
Overall, the sailors' silence is more a testament to their fear and loyalty than a lack of support for Charlotte. Their inaction highlights the power dynamics on board the Seahawk and the difficulties Charlotte faces in a system designed to favor the captain.