one minute after midnight on April 23
But in the first few volleys , none of the enemy shells found their marks . Jack was conning the ship from the port forward , the flame-thrower hut . Frank , with directions as to handling of the ship should Jack be disabled , was in the conning tower , from which the Brigadier was being steered . At one minute after midnight on April 23 , the program time for attack being midnight , the Vindictive was put alongside the Mole and the starboard anchor was let go . At this time the noise of cannonading was terrific . During the previous few minutes , the ship had been hit by a large number of shells , which had resulted in heavy casualties . As there was some doubt as to the starboard anchor having gone clear , the port anchor was dropped close to the foot of the Mole and the cable bowsed-to , with less than a shackle out .