Meanwhile at Ostend an equal gallantry had unluckily failed to succeed, two main factors, at the last moment, contributing to baffle the block-ships. The chief of these was the shifting by the enemy, three days before the attack, of the Stroom Bank Buoy--this bank being one of a series that had to be negotiated before entering the harbour; and the other being a change of wind to the south-southwest, blowing back the smoke-screens and exposing the {244} attack. Here, owing to the confusion caused by the displaced buoy, this change of wind had far more serious results, the calcium flares that had been lit by the coastal motor-boats, behind the smoke-screens, being extinguished by the enemy's gunfire; while the _Sirius_, repeatedly hit, was soon in a sinking condition. Having taken a line by the Stroom Bank Buoy--now more than 2,000 yards east of its former position--both the _Sirius_ and _Brilliant_ went ashore, where there was no alternative but to sink them, their crews being rescued in motor-launches by Lieutenants Hoare and Bourke. With the attack on Zeebrugge so triumphant a success, however, it was the unanimous opinion of all concerned that the failure at Ostend could not be allowed to stand; and, almost before she had been berthed beside Dover Pier, a new task was found for the _Vindictive_. She had done well. She had done very well. But the Dover Patrol had an exigent standard. To the thoughtful eye, what more convenient vessel for a second operation at Ostend? Nor were there any lack of volunteers, all the officers of the _Sirius_ and _Brilliant_ again coming forward; while Engineer Lieutenant-Commander Bury of the _Vindictive_, with four of the engine-room artificers, H. Cavanagh, N. Carroll, A. Thomas, and H. Harris, all pressed their claims upon Admiral Keyes, in view of their special knowledge, to remain with the vessel. Finally it was decided that Commander Godsal, who had been in charge of the _Brilliant_, should, for the further attempt, command the _Vindictive_, a second block-ship, the _Sappho_, being placed in charge {245} of Lieutenant-Commander Hardy, who had previously commanded the _Sirius_. As before also, Commander Hamilton Benn was given the charge of the motor-launches, Lieutenant E. C. Harrison being entrusted with the coastal motor-boats; while the whole operation, though Sir Roger Keyes was again to be present in the destroyer _Warwick_, was once more placed in the able hands of Commodore Hubert Lynes.