Lieutenant-Commander George N. Bradford, who was actually in command of the storming party in _Iris_ and whose duties did not include that of securing the ship, climbed up the ship's derrick, which carried a large parapet anchor and which was rigged out over the Mole side of the ship. The derrick itself was crashing on the Mole with each movement of the ship, which, in turn, was rolling and pitching heavily; a more perilous climb can scarcely be imagined. Waiting his opportunity, Bradford chose the right moment and jumped to the wall, taking the anchor with him. He placed the latter in position, but almost {207} immediately was riddled with machine-gun bullets and fell into the sea between _Iris_ and the Mole. Gallant attempts were made to rescue his body, but owing to the darkness and the rush of the strong tidal stream he was swept away beyond recovery. Nothing could have been finer than Bradford's efforts to secure the ship. He had been a splendid fighter in the "ring"; it was against his nature to give in as long as there was the remotest chance of winning through; his death brought us the great loss of a great gentleman. Really, one cannot conceive greater bravery than was shown by these two officers, who have set an example which will surely never be forgotten. The anchor placed by Bradford had either slipped or been shot away, with the result that _Iris_ suddenly surged out from the Mole. It was then obvious that the difficulty of securing to the Mole was insuperable, so Commander Gibbs very rightly decided to land his men across _Vindictive_. He therefore ordered the cable to be slipped and then steamed round the stern of _Daffodil_ and came alongside _Vindictive_. This change of plan, necessitated by the unfavourable state of the sea, showed a highly creditable degree of initiative. It must be realised that these movements and proceedings of _Iris_ had occupied over half an hour; it was about 12.55 A.M. before _Iris_ was secured to _Vindictive_. By that time the order for the retirement had been given. A few men scrambled out of _Iris_, but that ship was almost immediately ordered to shove off. She therefore left _Vindictive_ and shaped course to the northward. She had barely turned when she came under a heavy fire from some enemy batteries. Two large shell and several small shell hit her, {208} and were closely followed by three more large shell. The lookout house at the port extremity of the bridge was destroyed and a serious fire was caused on the upper deck. [Sidenote: Havoc in _Iris_]