, a British anti-aircraft cruiser, commenced the action at 00:58, firing by radar control. At 01:05, lookouts in "William T. Powell" spotted flares close aboard on the port side of the convoy; but the gunners were cautioned not to fire. Ten minutes later, however, with enemy planes within range, the convoy opened up; mount 21 in "William T. Powell" glimpsed an enemy bomber through the eerie murk and fired a four-round burst; the plane, obscured in smoke and clouds, soon disappeared. The firing lasted only a minute; "William T. Powell" ceased fire at 01:16, feeling detonations from time to time-believed to be either bombs or torpedoes exploding at the end of their runs.