At about 12.50 A.M., three-quarters of an hour after _Vindictive's_ arrival alongside, the question of the length of stay was considered. The blockships had been seen passing the lighthouse _en route_ to the canal, the viaduct had been blown up. The diversion on the Mole had throughout served to attract the fire of a large number of enemy batteries. From this followed the deduction that some chance of rescue work had probably offered itself to our motor launches. It was likely that in another twenty minutes these latter vessels would have definitely succeeded or failed in their object. [Sidenote: Beginning of the End] The primary object for which the attack on the Mole was designed had been attained. There remained the secondary object of demolition. The only guns in _Vindictive_ which could have borne directly on the Mole had been put out of action. Her upper {237} works were still being hit every few seconds with a continually increasing list of casualties amongst those in exposed positions. Owing to the failure of the Mole anchors no member of the storming parties could hope to return if _Daffodil_ was disabled. That the latter vessel had thus far escaped destruction was little short of a miracle. The maximum period allowed for the operations of the storming parties would expire at twenty minutes past one. Thirty minutes remained. If the warning signal was made immediately, the storming parties would have their maximum time cut down by only ten minutes. The question which arose out of the foregoing considerations was as to whether it was worth while to remain alongside during the last ten minutes for the sake of demolition work whilst risking, _at the least_, the loss of the whole of the storming parties then on the Mole. Shortly after 12.50 A.M. the order was given to make the retirement signal. _Vindictive's_ sirens had both been shot away. The starboard searchlight had received a direct hit from a projectile and had been hurled off the bridge down to the upper deck. The port searchlight had also been put out of action. An order was passed to _Daffodil_ to make the retirement signal on her siren. The latter spluttered and gurgled whilst emitting a veritable shower bath, but presently began to show signs of being useful. A low groan developed into a growling note which in turn travelled gradually up the scale until loud enough to be heard at a distance. The signal was repeated several times and then came an anxious period of waiting.