_North Star_, on becoming separated from the others, proceeded towards her patrol area, but had great difficulty in ascertaining her position owing to the smoke. Suddenly an enemy vessel was encountered and the track of a torpedo was clearly seen in the glare of the enemy's searchlight. _North Star_ returned the compliment, but it is probable that her torpedo missed similarly to that fired by the enemy vessel; the latter was lost sight of almost immediately. Continuing her efforts to locate the Mole, she found herself close inshore to the eastward of the Mole. After putting her helm hard-over, some ships were seen right ahead, and were recognised as the blockships making their final run to the canal. The Mole was then seen to the northward and a torpedo was fired at a vessel alongside it. At this moment _North Star_ was lit up by a searchlight and the German batteries opened a heavy fire upon her. She passed close to the Mole and fired three more torpedoes at vessels alongside it, but {222} the conditions of visibility once more prevented the results from being observed. When passing the lighthouse _North Star_ received several hits in the engine-room and boiler-rooms and was completely disabled. Her fate will be recounted presently. H.M.S. _Phoebe_, after becoming separated from _Warwick_, commenced to patrol off the lighthouse in accordance with her instructions. Presently she fell in with the steamboat which had rescued the crew of Submarine C3. The latter, who were in urgent need of medical attention, were transferred to _Phoebe_, which vessel then continued her patrol as before. Later on _North Star_ was sighted in a crippled state and _Phoebe_ at once went to her assistance. [Sidenote: Fate of the _North Star_] _North Star_ was still being illuminated by searchlights and heavily fired at. _Phoebe_ laid out a smoke screen to hide her and then took her in tow--a most difficult operation under the circumstances. Unfortunately the tow parted and the smoke screen drifted away before the wind. Once again heavy fire was directed at these vessels and they were being frequently hit. _Phoebe_ again took _North Star_ in tow, but the towing wires were cut by shell explosions; to make matters worse, the _Phoebe's_ steam siren was hit and commenced to fill the air with its discordant shrieking, thus assisting the enemy to locate them. _Phoebe_ next endeavoured to push _North Star_ bodily away from the batteries, but this proved to be impossible. The only other thing to be done was to save _North Star's_ crew and to sink her to prevent capture. _Phoebe_, therefore, laid out another protective smoke screen and lowered her boat for the rescue work. Helyar in _North Star_ very reluctantly had to order "abandon ship," {223} and this was carried out by means of her boats and rafts. One boat unfortunately capsized, but the others were picked up and the whaler from _Phoebe_ made several trips for survivors.