The first shots were fired by the British at the brig "Oneida", which attempted to escape the incoming British vessels but failed and returned to Navy Point. The British continued on and dropped anchor. Back at the point, "Oneida" was moored with one broadside of nine guns to the enemy, while the others were taken out and hastily placed on a breastwork along the shoreline, near where a 32-pounder cannon, intended for "Oneida", but found too heavy, had been mounted on a pivot. Below the cannon a protective mound had been constructed about high.