The only consolation I have is that I really believe the brave Russians would have blown her up, rather than allow such a disgrace to fall on their flag.
Since the war a Russian naval officer told me that he had under his command at Sebastopol, on the day of my chasing the 'Livadia' into that port, seven torpedo boats, with which he volunteered to go out and attack us.

His request was not allowed.

We discussed at some length the probable result.

These are my views and arguments.

I said to him, 'When I saw your boats coming out I should have steamed away.