This was done by rockets being thrown up by a designed plan from the barge.

We had hardly cleared the bar when we saw this boat very near our bows, nicely placed to be run clean over, and as we were going about fourteen knots, her chance of escape would have been small had we been inclined to finish her.

Changing the helm, which I did myself, a couple of spokes just took us clear.

We passed so close that I could have dropped a biscuit into the boat with ease.

I heard the crash of broken oars against our sides; not a word was spoken.
I strongly suspect every man in that boat held his breath till the great white avalanche of cotton, rushing by so unpleasantly near, had passed quite clear of her.
However, they seemed very soon to have recovered themselves, for a minute had scarcely passed before up went a rocket, which I thought a very ungrateful proceeding on their part.