The Tokio had found a single American warship in the harbor and was doing her best to sink the craft.
The warship was something of a transport and was carrying sixteen hundred soldiers to San Francisco, from Tacoma, Washington.
She had put into the bay for fresh water and was now doing her best to fight the Tokio off.
But it was an unequal struggle, for her guns were much smaller than those on the Japanese vessel. Soon she had a gaping hole in her side, but fortunately this was two feet above the water line.
While the Tokio continued to fire shot and shell, Oscar gave orders to George Dross to bring the new Holland around under the warship's stern.
Then the young captain put on a diving suit and ordered Andy to do the same.
Both went forth and with caution made their way to the stern of the Holland XI.
The anchor chain was twisted twice around the screw and it took all their strength on a long crowbar to set the screw free.
It was dangerous work, for had they been caught in the chain when it slipped away, one or both would surely have been killed.
In a quarter of an hour they were back to the new Holland, but so exhausted that neither could stand upright.