Tryon's 1888 blockade breakout

Tryon wore down the blockaders with feints and false alarms rather than challenging their superior strength directly. An early feint drew Markham's cruisers out, and two darkened torpedo boats later surprised and captured four opposing boats. Nine days of alerts and keeping steam raised depleted the blockaders' coal and attention. The fastest ships, with their upperworks painted black, escaped through the western entrance while Tryon led a conspicuous diversion to the east. FitzRoy's subsequent breakout forced Baird to abandon the blockade and redistribute ships toward Liverpool and the Thames. Simulated raids on northern ports and Liverpool shipping followed within the exercise. Defeated officers objected to the treatment of merchants and defended cities, false flags, and captured signal equipment, while the Admiralty praised Tryon's result. An opponent could not safely be expected to observe the same rules of conduct as one's own force.