Saint-Bon attacks the Lissa fortifications

The Italian fleet divided its forces to bombard the island’s defenses before a landing. Formidabile helped silence outer positions and was then ordered into Porto San Giorgio against the Madonna batteries and Wellington Tower. The inner defenses could not be effectively engaged from outside the harbor, so armored ships had to enter the confined water and accept close-range fire. Rear Admiral Giovanni Vacca judged the anchorage too narrow and withdrew his squadron. The entire Austro-Hungarian fleet later gathered in the same space, suggesting that Vacca underestimated the room available.