 "Anaconda", gun-vessels, and hired craft then moved the advance guard up the bayou in preparation for the New Orleans.By forcing "Anaconda" over a bank five miles wide that was only eight feet under water, Westphal was able to get her into position 20 miles ahead of the other British warships where she could protect the boats bringing up supplies and troops.Captain Thomas Hardy of wrote in a letter that "Anaconda"s protection surely saved many of the boats from capture by the Americans.