She showed her lights, which till then had been concealed, and steamed back to sea again for another trial.
This time she so nearly succeeded that there was consternation in the whole fleet; but still she was detected in time.
Five times she made the attempt, but defeat succeeded defeat; and at last Admiral Bunce declared the game over for the night, and the Vesuvius returned to anchor, with the rest of the fleet.
Admiral Bunce declared himself highly pleased at the success of his blockade.
The next night the game was played again. This time the Vesuvius won easily, for it was a foggy night, and the search-lights were not able to pierce the fog.
Admiral Bunce would not allow that this was a fair test, but as, in real war, blockade runners would be pretty sure to wait for a cloudy night, or for one that was dark or foggy, it would seem that the test was fairer than that of the night before, which was clear and moonlit.
Before the manoeuvres were over, the admiral ordered a practice with the big guns.
From all accounts it was a very fine sight, and our navy proved itself a great credit to us.
The guns were fired at targets, and the shooting seems to have been particularly fine, the targets being hit every time.