định's gò công insurgents attempted to stop rice from being shipped to cholon by attacking the french lorchas and apprehending the trading vessels on the local waterways. a french report in november 1861 noted that shipping had been severely disrupted and restricted, despite high levels of french naval protection. the most notable of the seaborne attacks was the burning of the lorcha "l'espérance" on nhat tao canal on december 10, 1861. around 150 guerrillas commanded by trực ambushed the vessel, killing some of the crew before burning and sinking the boat. the attack buoyed vietnamese morale and instilled the belief that they could fight against french naval forces. the sinking earned the specific praise of emperor tự đức, who described the incident as "most outstanding".