On the way across to Zeebrugge my anxiety with regard to accuracy of compass course had led me to criticise the steering of one of the quartermasters. Now, on the return voyage, I had become quartermaster, in the absence of Petty Officer Youlton, and am afraid the steering was execrable. That fact was officially recorded by the Commanding Officer of _Moorsom_ who, knowing nothing about our amateur steersmanship, reported, "... _Vindictive_ appeared ... steering a very erratic course!" Fortunately the services of another petty officer, as steersman, were obtained later on. Lieutenant-Commander Rosoman combined the duties of lookout and navigator; his advice was most helpful. A visit from the stretcher parties relieved the congestion in the conning tower. Another memorable incident was the arrival of the Paymaster with a jug full of a certain stimulating beverage which put new life into us; I shall _not_ complete the testimonial. Several signals were interchanged with _Moorsom_ on the subject of shoals; it was a great relief when {243} we eventually located a buoy marking a danger spot. _Vindictive_ was steaming nearly seventeen knots until daylight--a great achievement on the part of Engineer Lieutenant-Commander Bury and his department. Soon after daylight a destroyer was observed to be racing up from astern at high speed. She quickly ranged up alongside and proved to be H.M.S. _Warwick_. The first signal from her, "Well done, _Vindictive_," cheered us up immensely, not because of its actual import, but because it looked very much as if the Vice-Admiral were alive. To make sure we enquired if that surmise was correct and, greatly to our relief, received a reply in the affirmative. H.M.S. _Warwick_ had continued throughout the operation to patrol in a central position, namely, near the Mole lighthouse. She had come under a heavy fire and altogether experienced a couple of hectic hours. Soon after one o'clock she had moved towards _Vindictive_ and suddenly came upon the latter leaving the Mole. _Vindictive's_ smoke screen made it impossible to keep touch, so the Vice-Admiral decided to search for _Iris_ and _Daffodil_ in case they should require assistance. Shortly after this M.L. 282 was met and transferred her blockship survivors to _Warwick_, who was also informed that _Iris_ and _Daffodil_ had left the Mole. _Warwick_ then escorted some motor launches out of the danger zone, and, after rallying several other craft at a prearranged rendezvous, she steered for Dover and overtook _Vindictive_ as mentioned above. Admiral Keyes ordered _Moorsom_ to lead _Vindictive_ to Dover, to which place _Warwick_ proceeded at {244} high speed to land her wounded and to arrange for the arrival of the casualties from the remaining vessels.