The three French ships were anchored off the port under the protection of coastal batteries, but Defiance,  and  closed in, and fired on the French ships until forced to withdraw by the ebbing of the tide, damaging them to the extent the one was subsequently broken up, and the other two declared unfit for naval service and sold. Defiance was much cut up and had two men killed and 25 wounded.
Three French warships were anchored in the harbor under the protection of coastal artillery, but Defiance,  and  approached them, and unleashed a barrage on the French vessels until they were forced to retreat due to the ebbing tide, resulting in significant damage to the ships. One was subsequently scrapped, while the other two were deemed unsuitable for naval service and sold.