Bonham Carter went full speed ahead with the starboard engine and full speed astern with the port to turn her round.
The Essex boat did snag a mine which blew up in the net, astern of them.
It lifted for a moment, and the captain, seeing he was heading for the western pier, went full speed astern, then ahead with the starboard engine, and with a barge in front of him drove into the canal.
New Orleans, next astern in the US line, was hit by a torpedo which severed her bow.
The "Intrepid" astern had come under heavy shrapnel fire from the guns as she approached the mole, but after rounding it escaped their attention.