The British gunboats and "Carleton" then maneuvered within range of the American line. "Thunderer" and "Maria" were unable to make headway against the winds, and did not participate in the battle, while "Inflexible" eventually came far enough up the strait to participate in the action. Around 12:30 pm, the battle began in earnest, with both sides firing broadsides and cannonades at each other, and continued all afternoon. "Revenge" was heavily hit; "Philadelphia" was also heavily damaged and eventually sank around 6:30 pm. "Carleton", whose guns wrought havoc against the smaller American gundalows, became a focus of attention. A lucky shot eventually snapped the line holding her broadside in position, and she was seriously damaged before she could be towed out of range of the American line. Her casualties were significant; eight men were killed and another eight wounded. The young Edward Pellew, serving as a midshipman aboard "Carleton", distinguished himself by ably commanding the vessel to safety when its senior officers, including its captain, Lieutenant James Dacres, were injured. Another lucky American shot hit a British gunboat's magazine and the vessel exploded.