Why is Ralph so angry with Jack after spotting a ship in Lord of the Flies?

Answer 1

Ralph said right from the start of the book that he had two priorities, to be rescued and to have fun while in the meantime. Jack had told him that his hunters would be responsible for keeping the fire lit. When Ralph spots a ship on the horizon he also notices that the signal fire isn't lit. It turns out that Jack had taken the fire watchers on a hunt. Ralph was angry that just because Jack wanted extra help to hunt a pig the chance of them all being rescued had been missed

Answer 2

The hunters let the fire die. While they were away hunting, a ship passed by. The ship didn't detect them because there was no fire. It was Jack and the hunters' responsibility to keep the fire going.

Answer 3

Ralph is angry with Jack because he feels that they missed the chance to be rescued due to the fire on the mountain going out. He believes that Jack and his hunters failed in their responsibility to keep the signal fire burning, which could have attracted the passing ship. Ralph is frustrated with Jack's prioritization of hunting over their chance of rescue.