Lookouts on each vessel saw the approaching danger off Hurst Point. The American ship attempted to pass to the port side, the standard procedure in such a situation. Lacking room for the manoeuvre, Captain William Lumsden choose to turn the opposite direction, ensuring a collision. Both ships attempted to slow but both were exceptionally heavy ("Saint Paul" was built for conversion in wartime to a cruiser). They hit at about . "Saint Paul" struck "Gladiator" just aft of her engine room.