Bombs Awry by George O. Smith

Plates groaned and girders complained as Henderson went into the jerk-slew maneuver again. And the missile missed again, simply because it was a trailing device and had no precognition.

But it was a losing fight. Respite for the moment was gained -- but this could not go on forever. Each dodge brought the flaming death of the missile's warhead nearer to them, so far as actual distance was concerned; it merely brought it nearer "slower. " The _Vanguard_ was the clever rabbit running from the dog. But there was no bramble in which to find safety.