The ironclads were the _Inflexible_, firing a broadside of 6,880 lb. from her four 81-ton guns; the _Temeraire_, 8,540 tons, four 25-ton and four 18-ton guns; the _Superb_, 9,100 tons, with four 25-ton guns, and a weight of broadside of 3,280 lb.; the _Alexandra_, 9,490 tons, two 25-ton and ten 18-ton guns; the _Monarch_, 8,230 tons, four 25-ton and two 6½-ton guns; the _Invincible_, 6,010 tons, ten 12-ton guns; and the _Penelope_, 4,394 tons, ten 12-ton guns. All these vessels carried a number of smaller guns as well. The gunboats were the _Beacon_, _Bittern_, _Cygnet_, _Condor_, and _Decoy_, and there was also a small despatch boat. The _Monarch_, _Temeraire_ and _Penelope_ attacked Fort Meks and Fort Marsa-el-Kanit on the mainland; and the _Superb_, _Sultan_ and _Alexandra_ opposed the Lighthouse and Pharos forts. The _Inflexible_ co-operated with either squadron as required. The Marabout batteries at the entrance to the harbour were left to the five gunboats. These were each armed with a 4½-ton 7-inch rifled Woolwich gun and two 64-pounders, all muzzle-loading. The Marabout forts were protected by two 18-ton guns, two 12-ton guns, twenty 32-pounders, and five mortars. This fort had been constructed in such a manner that the guns could not be trained to fire below a certain angle, and consequently any vessel which could get within this angle would be comparatively safe from the fire of the forts, and with the superior training of its guns could shell the forts at short range with terrible effect. Lord Charles Beresford, the commander of the _Condor_, saw this, and determined to make the effort. With magnificent daring and consummately skilful handling of his small vessel, he managed to get her through the zone of fire without receiving a shot in return, thanks to the erratic firing of the Egyptian gunners. Having got under the angle of fire the _Condor_ began to use her guns with terrible effect. A certain gun in the Marabout fort was annoying the attacking flotilla very seriously, and in spite of the efforts of the assailants they could not suppress its fire entirely. One man at this gun proved that he was an excellent marksman and sent several shells dangerously close to the ships. The story goes that this particularly obnoxious Egyptian gunner was noticed by Lord Charles Beresford, who ordered his own best gunner to knock over the Egyptian gun. This was no sooner ordered than done, but the Egyptians worked hard and mounted the gun again, and once more the Egyptian gunner was seen to be in charge of the piece. “Hit that gunner,” Lord Charles commanded. “Yes, sir. Where shall I hit him?” the gunner asked. “Hit him in the eye,” was the reply of the future admiral. “Which eye, sir?” asked the gunner. But before the commander could indicate any preference as to the particular Egyptian optic which should be hit with an explosive shell, the gunner had fired, and the shot took off the man’s head.