Because the motion of the ships disrupted their aim, most of the shots from the forts missed; generally, they aimed too high, sending the missiles that were on target into the masts and upper works of the vessels. The ships proceeded according to Du Pont's orders through the first turn, but then the plan fell apart.
The disruption in the ships' movements caused a failure in aiming accuracy, leading to many shots missing their mark. The initial strategy was disrupted by the movement of the ships.