 Upon approaching the barrage , the German torpedo boats were challenged by the British destroyer HMS Flirt and an engagement broke out . The Germans were able to destroy Flirt and successfully assault the barrage ′ s drifters , but were once more engaged when a flotilla of British destroyers was sent to repel them . The Germans were able to fight off the additional British units before successfully withdrawing . By the end of the night , the British had lost one destroyer , a transport , and several drifters while the Germans themselves suffered only minor damage to a single torpedo boat . 
