 However, the "Val" stubbornly remained airborne and escaped the hail of gunfire; but no sooner had the second aircraft been driven off when three of the oiler's 20-millimeter guns jammed.Her engineers soon were able to get the ship underway again, and "Tappahannock" began to pick up steam.Putting her helm over hard-a-port, the ship prepared to face a third tormentor which came in from directly astern.