sentences:  Hauling the men aboard, Bourke turned for the safety of the open sea, but as he did, two shells struck the launch, smashing the lifeboat and destroying the compressed air tanks.This stalled the engines and caused a wave of highly corrosive acid to wash over the deck, causing severe damage to the launch's hull and almost suffocating the unconscious Alleyne.Under heavy fire, the boat staggered out of the harbour and was taken under tow by another late-arriving motor launch.