As the boarding progressed, a soldier heard Sharp and his chief officer, H. Grattidge, say that were on the ship, as a lighter came alongside and Sharp decide that it would be the last to deliver passengers. Sharp and Grattidge kept watch on the sky as aircraft fought above the Loire estuary and German bombers tried to hit about distant; at "Oronsay" was bombed and part of the bridge destroyed. Sharp was advised by the captain of "Havelock" to leave at once but for fear of U-boats, Sharp wanted a destroyer escort. No destroyer was forthcoming and Sharp decided to leave with "Oronsay"; "Lancastria" stayed at anchor rather than being made a moving target. At more German bombers appeared, while the RAF Hurricanes were at the far end of their patrol line and a bomber hit "Lancastria" with three or four bombs. The ship tilted to starboard, the bridge crew shouted for everyone to go to the port side and "Lancastria" came level again, then keeled over to port.