The ship has weather of every rack

 

O Captain! My Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won.

 

These two lines from Whitman's Elegy O Captain! My Captain show the feelings of the poet towards the Captain. He uses metaphors to elucidate his point. The ship is the Nation. The fearful trip refers to the obstacles faced by the ship. It refers to the negro slavery and disharmony which would have disunited the entire nation. It refers to the Civil War waged, through which the leader Lincoln took his country to safety. The Captain with his excellent leadership belongs to the Entire Nation. But he's closer to the poet's heart so he calls him "My Captain'. The Captain was kind, brave, and able. Whitman liked him for what he was. He rightly compares Lincoln to a Captain. He helped his people to overcome the hurdles and emerge victorious. The people are happy that the voyage is completed successfully and peace is won. The object they fought for is won