The Attack
On the evening of 22nd April 1918 a fleet of 76 vessels carrying 1700 men crossed the Channel. HMS Vindictive led the way commanded by Capt Alfred Carpenter
Vindictive was towing the passenger ferries Iris and Daffodil, commandeered from the River Mersey to carry the Royal Marines contingent for the assault on the Mole
Smoke screens, a relatively new invention, were laid ahead of the attacking fleet
Fast patrol boats used to lay the smoke screen
Having reached the Mole Capt Carpenter had difficulty keeping Vindictive alongside and she started to drift away. Lt Cmdr Harold Campbell commanding the ferry boat Daffodil quickly realised the situation and manoeuvred his vessel to push Vindictive back against the Mole
