Several men were wounded in the trenches, which were so shallow as to afford little protection.

Two shells bursting at the same moment killed a naval officer and three men at one of the guns.

All who were so imprudent as to venture to attempt to cross the plateau were struck down.

It was a sad and terrible spectacle to see these sailors coolly endeavouring to point their guns, undisturbed by the rain of fire; while their officers, who were encouraging them, were falling every moment, covering those round them with their blood.

The infantry and the Mobiles were, too, without shelter; for the Krupp guns swept the portion of the plateau on which they were drawn up within supporting distance.