Stern all!

Stern all!
 

Hi,

Where is the stress here? The first word or the last one?

I don't recognise it as a meaningful phrase at all, so I'm not sure that the question can be answered.

I know that stern can mean the back of a boat. This sounds like a command (to the stern all).
If it is a command, then all would be the accented word in the phrase.

Yes, poli, it's a command:

“‘Stern all!’ exclaimed the mate, as upon turning his head, he saw the distended jaws of a large Sperm Whale close to the head of the boat, threatening it with instant destruction;—‘Stern all, for your lives!’”

It's an order to row backwards.

Ah! A form of "Full astern" which was used a couple of centuries ago. Since it's shouted, both words are probably stressed.