 All day she remained stuck until the combination of a flood tide and the service of seven tugs managed to pull her free of the wreck, to the cheers of the Yale rowing crew who were aboard "Umbria" on their way to take part in the Henley Regatta.She dropped anchor and divers reported no damage to the ship and she continued on her voyage.War broke out in South Africa on 12 October 1899, and two months later on 22 December "Umbria" was chartered by the government and was prepared to carry troops and armaments to South Africa.