What's the relationship between nature and the men in the boat?

The relationship between nature and the men in story, The Open Boat, is man versus nature. The men experienced a shipwreck, and they are traveling in open waters on a life boat. The waters are rough, some of the men are injured. Thankfully, the crew is experienced and puts their heads together and improvises various ways to keep themselves alive, as they make their way to shore. Events leave the men feeling hopeless, but they cannot give up hope. A large shark swims nearby, the men ponder a death by drowning, think of their familes, and lament the places and people they'll never see again. In the end, the narrator/ corresponent, realizes that they can give into nature..... which is indifferent to their circumstance, or fight against it. In the end, three of the men survive.... one succumbs to nature. Crane's main message in the story is that nature is unconcerned with man.... it isn't threatening, it merely exists. Nature, in this case the churning sea, is both antagonistic and heroic...... without that final freak wave..... all of the men would have perished.