noon
Still , Captain Kearney , although a brave and prudent officer -- one who calculated chances , and who would not risk his men without he deemed that necessity imperiously demanded that such should be done -- was averse to this attack , from his knowledge of the bay in which the brig was anchored ; and although Mr Phillott and O'Brien both were of opinion that it should be a night attack , Captain Kearney decided otherwise . He considered , that although the risk might be greater , yet the force employed would be more consolidated , and that those who would hold back in the night dare not do so during the day . Moreover , that the people on shore in the battery , as well as those in the privateer , would be on the alert all night , and not expecting an attack during the day , would be taken off their guard . It was therefore directed that everything should be in preparation during the night , and that the boats should shove off before daylight , and row in-shore , concealing themselves behind some rocks under the cliffs which formed the cape upon one side of the harbour ; and , if not discovered , remain there till noon , at which time it was probable that the privateer 's men would be on shore , and the vessel might be captured without difficulty . It is always a scene of much interest on board a man-of-war when preparations are made for an expedition of this description ; and , as the reader may not have been witness to them , it may perhaps be interesting to describe them . The boats of men-of-war have generally two crews ; the common boats ' crews , which are selected so as not to take away the most useful men from the ship ; and the service , or fighting boats ' crews , which are selected from the very best men on board . The coxswains of the boats are the most trustworthy men in the ship , and , on this occasion , have to see that their boats are properly equipped .