At last there was a decided improvement. A state of readiness was ordered. The wind had fallen very light and we were as hopeful as we were anxious to be "up and doing." The order to raise steam was next received and followed shortly after by the order to "carry on" as previously laid down in the time table. All was bustle then. Unnecessary baggage was transhipped to a harbour vessel against the day when some of us might require it. In due course the final arrangements were made and we shortened in our cables. Then we weighed anchors and started off. The officers and men of _Hindustan_ cheered us vigorously; answering cheers were given as we steamed close past her. _Vindictive_ and the blockships all cheered each other, enthusiasm was in the air. Thank goodness we were off at last. Thank goodness, also, that nothing had occurred to prevent our showing what we could do. Those were the thoughts uppermost in our minds. _Iris_ and _Daffodil_ were sent on ahead so that _Vindictive_ could take them in tow when we were clear of the shoals. It will be remembered that _Iris_ and _Daffodil_ did not possess a high degree of steaming power, either in the way of speed or reliability. It had, therefore, been decided that _Vindictive_ should tow both these vessels across the sea until in the near vicinity of Zeebrugge Mole; that would help to ensure their arrival. I read afterwards in one account of this affair that _Iris_ and _Daffodil_ towed _Vindictive_ into action! The squadron formed into "line ahead" in the order {143} _Vindictive, Thetis, Intrepid, Iphigenia, Brilliant_, and _Sirius_. The wind was blowing rather weakly, but from a favourable direction. The sea was very calm and, altogether, conditions appeared to be most promising. There were no glum faces in our little community just then. As soon as we had cleared the shoals we all stopped for a few minutes while _Vindictive_ took _Iris_ and _Daffodil_ in tow; that accomplished, we set course for Rendezvous A, where we had to meet the Vice-Admiral and the remaining vessels from Dover. During our passage through the various channels between sandbanks we passed a large number of homeward-bound merchant ships. The contrast between them and our vessels was not merely confined to the matter of appearance.