A light breeze subsequently enabled "Spartan" to get under way and pour fire into "Cerere's" starboard quarter and launch a devastating raking fire into "Fama's" stern. "Spartan" then fired a broadside into "Sparviero" which compelled her to haul down her colours and surrender. Meanwhile, "Cerere" escaped to Baia—heavy damage to her rigging prevented "Spartan" from pursuing—and the badly damaged "Fama" was towed to safety by the gunboats. "Spartan" had suffered heavy losses with ten killed and 22 wounded while Neapolitan losses were estimated to be around 130 killed and wounded. Returning to Malta the following week, Brenton was given a hero's welcome and received news he had been awarded the Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit by the Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies. Brenton was offered the command of another squadron in the Adriatic but the severity of his wound prevented him from continuing active service and in June Rear Admiral Martin arranged for "Spartan" to carry Brenton back to England.