as there was no wireless radio in those days, and the telegraphic cable office in alexandria was not functioning, the squadron commander had approval to land the naval force, but once ashore goodrich had been on his own. it was he who made the decision to stay with the british rather than leave with the french. waller, as one of only four officers in the landing force, would have been present when the decisions were made. he learned, as a 24-year-old lieutenant, the habits of independence in command that he would exercise throughout his career.