I determined to attack, but first deemed it necessary to survey the channel, which operation was successfully performed, under a heavy fire, by Sub-lieutenant Harrow, who worked with great coolness, and lost one man wounded.
By the time the channel was reported as being sufficiently deep to allow the passage of the Ringdove, it was dusk, and I determined to take her in at daybreak of the following day. Meanwhile I transferred the guns and most of the stores of the Ferret to my ship.
At daybreak I weighed, and was at once fired upon by a gun, mounted on the cliffs three hundred feet above my head, to which it was impossible to reply.
I immediately recognized that it would, under the circumstances, be impossible to force the entrance, and stood off, ordering the Sally to follow me.
She was, however, struck by a large shot or shell, and commenced to sink, and I had only sufficient time to bring off her crew, and could not save any of her stores.
The cutter which brought off her crew sighted a man on the rocks, who semaphored that he was Lieutenant Travers, and most pluckily brought him off under a heavy fire.
I then altered course for Tinghai with the crews of my tenders on board.
My officers and crew behaved with gallantry and coolness under trying circumstances.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,