Rushing back to his ships, he ordered the ships along an inner route north-east, toward Lyngør. "Podargus" was in the van of the British squadron, apparently with a pilot on board who was familiar with the waters. Still, she ran aground at Buskjærsteinen and Steward ordered "Flamer" to stay behind and assist the stricken brig. Several smaller Dano-Norwegian boats immediately attacked "Podargus" and "Flamer". Among them were Lieutenant Parnemann with the armed launch "Kiøge Bugt" and gunboat No.3 under the command of Lieutenant Ring. Four additional gunboats from the Arendal Division, commanded by Captain-Lieutenant Dietrichson, subsequently reinforced them. Lastly, the battery at Digernes (on the seaward side of Borøya island, which is three miles southwest of Lyngør), also fired on the two British brigs. Although "Podargus" and "Flamer" sustained damage, they were eventually able to rejoin "Dictator" after the main battle was over.