At 08:43, lookouts on "King George V" spotted "Bismarck", some away; "Rodney" opened fire first at 08:47, followed quickly by "King George V". "Bismarck" was unable to steer due to the torpedo damage, and this was further complicated by the gale-force storm. The consequent unpredictable motions made the ship an unstable gun platform and created a difficult gunnery problem. However "Bismarck" returned fire at 08:50 with her forward guns, and with her second salvo, she straddled "Rodney". This was the closest she came to scoring a hit on any British warship in the engagement, because at 09:02, a salvo from "Rodney" struck the forward superstructure, damaging the bridge and main fire control director and killing most of the senior officers. The salvo also damaged the forward main battery turrets. The aft fire control station took over direction of the aft turrets, but after three salvos was also knocked out. With both fire control positions out of action, "Bismarck"s shooting became increasingly erratic, allowing the British to close the range. "Norfolk" and "Dorsetshire" closed and began firing with their guns.