Both were ironclads and Buchanan was as anxious to fight Craven as the latter was to fight him.

Craven, fearing his adversary would retreat, pressed forward so eagerly that he paid no attention to the torpedoes over which his hull was continually scraping.

One or more of these suddenly exploded, the front dipped and the _Tecumseh_ plunged bow foremost to the bottom of the bay, carrying with her 93 men out of a crew of 114.
This appalling disaster was accompanied by a touching incident.

When the _Tecumseh_ was diving downward Commander Craven and the pilot instinctively started for the opening through which only one man could pass at a time.

They reached the foot of the ladder at the same moment.
"You first," said Craven, halting.