As Captain More realized his ship was lost, he ordered her scuttled, but the magazine was already flooded and it could not be blown up. The "Covadonga" kept firing, but retreated when "Huáscar" was seen coming from the north. "Huáscar's" commander checked on "Independencia" and decided to pursue the enemy after seeing she was immobilized, but this cost precious time and "Covadonga" steamed south as fast as possible. Captain Grau realized that "Huáscar" could not catch up on the 10 mile head start before dusk, gave up the chase, and returned to assist "Independencia" and salvage her guns; the crew (those aboard and some who had escaped to the beach) were rescued and the ship set on fire.