one o'clock in the afternoon
Now the fleet could be seen coming forward from the roads off the Katcha River to the north ; no sails were set , as the ships had either their own steam-power , or were moved by steamers lashed alongside . `` The French fleet are leading , '' observed Jack to Higson ; `` it is evident then that their destined position is the southern end of the line , and that our ships are to attack Fort Constantine and the other forts on the north side of the harbour . '' Slowly the proud ships glided onwards , but not a shot was fired from them ; they were still out of range of the forts . It was already near one o'clock in the afternoon . In the French division thirteen ships could be counted , two of them carrying the Turkish flag . Onward they glided in admirable order , still preserving perfect silence . `` To my mind , '' observed Higson , `` they would be likely to do much more good if they were farther in , and my belief is that so they would be if they had English captains to fight them . ''