While the main fleet held back, the three ships carrying the landing force were to enter the port at daybreak on March 3, and gain control of the town before the alarm could be raised.
艦隊主力が後方に控えている間に、上陸部隊を載せた3隻の艦船が3月3日の夜明けに港に入り、警報が発せられる前に町を支配するものとされた。