Many had cut away their masts to relieve the strain on their anchors.

The paddles and screws of the steamers were working at full speed, for the lines of white foam behind them could be plainly seen.

But even this availed them but little, for almost every ship lay nearer to the line of cliffs than she did when night fell; several were close to the foot of the rocks, and the lookers-on noticed that some which had lain near the shore were missing.

On the decks of the ships could be seen numbers of persons holding on to ropes and bulwarks.

Sometimes from the deck of a vessel a rocket soared up, the wind catching it as it rose, and carrying it far inland.
By the captain's orders several blue lights, which the party had brought down, were burned, to show those on board that their position was perceived, but beyond this nothing could be done.