The two ships exchanged broadsides for half an hour before the American ship closed her starboard beam and sent "HMS Guerriere's" mizzen mast overboard. Switching to the other bow, the American ship raked "HMS Guerriere", which included sweeping her decks with grapeshot and musket fire, and then attempted to board. Samuel Grant, master's mate commanding the forecastle, was badly wounded and at about the same time Robert Scott, the master, was shot through the knee and the Captain severely wounded. Captain Dacres ordered Lieutenant Bartholomew Kent to lead the marines and boarders from the main deck towards the forecastle but the two ships parting at that moment meant that they were able to bring some of the bow guns to bear on the "Constitution". William J. Snow, master's mate, commanded the fore-most main deck guns and John Garby, acting purser, the after quarter-deck guns.