There are old Jewish legends speaking of a stone giving light to Noah’s ark. This verse appears to similarly tap into the story of Noah. There is all manner of “flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them.” From a historical point of view, they certainly had to take with them food and water, and perhaps that was a reason to take live animals as a way to continually provide food during the long sea journey. However, the wording appears to imitate the ark story. Since we know from both Mosiah and Moroni that the early part of the record of Ether contained the old creation stories, it is probable that it also included the story of Noah, and this part would be an intentional echo that would tie this journey across the waters to Noah’s journey. Both preserved a people upon the waters.