Commander Unwin, seeing how things were going, left the _River Clyde_
and, standing up to his waist in water under a very heavy fire, got the
lighters into position; he was assisted in this work by Midshipman G.
L. Drewry, R.N.R., of H.M.S. _Hussar_; Midshipman W. St. A. Malleson,
R.N., of H.M.S. _Cornwallis_; Able Seaman W. C. Williams, O.N. 186774
(R.F.R. B. 3766), and Seaman R.N.R. George McKenzie Samson, O.N. 2408A,
both of H.M.S. _Hussar_.
The bridge to the shore, though now passable, could not be used by the
troops, anyone appearing on it being instantly shot down, and the men
in _River Clyde_ remained in her till nightfall.
At 9.50 a.m. _Albion_ sent in launch and pinnace manned by volunteer
crews to assist in completing bridge, which did not quite reach beach;
these boats, however, could not be got into position until dark owing
to heavy fire.
It had already been decided not to continue to disembark on V beach,
and all other troops intended for this beach were diverted to W.
The position remained unchanged on V beach throughout the day, men of
war and the maxims mounted in _River Clyde_ doing their utmost to keep
down the fire directed on the men under partial shelter on the beach.
During this period many heroic deeds were performed in rescuing wounded
men in the water.
During the night of the 25-26 the troops in _River Clyde_ were able
to disembark under cover of darkness and obtain some shelter on the
beach and in the village of Seddul Bahr, for possession of which now
commenced a most stubborn fight.