Under the command of Jeremiah O'Brien, thirty-one townsmen sailed aboard "Unity" armed with guns, swords, axes, and pitch forks and captured "Margaretta" in an hour-long battle after "Margaretta" had threatened to bombard the town. John O'Brien jumped aboard "Margaretta" as the two ships closed, but was forced to jump overboard by the British crew. After rescuing John, "Unity" again closed "Margaretta" until their rigging became entangled. "Unity" was bombarded by grenades from the British ship, but "Margaretta" surrendered after James Moore was mortally wounded.