On the Ocean 17 



were got on the cables of the Essex, in order to 

 bring her round till her broadside bore; but in each 

 instance they were shot away, as soon as they were 

 hauled taut. Three long I2's were got out of the 

 sternports, and with these an animated fire was 

 kept up on the two British ships, the aim being 

 especially to cripple their rigging. A good many 

 of Porter's crew were killed during the first five 

 minutes, before he could bring any guns to bear; 

 but afterward he did not suffer much, and at 4.20, 

 after a quarter of an hour's fight between the three 

 long i2's of the Essex, and the whole 36 broadside 

 guns of the Phoebe and Cherub, the latter were 

 actually driven off. They wore, and again began 

 with their long guns; but, these producing no vis 

 ible effect, both of the British ships hauled out of 

 the fight at 4.30. "Having lost the use of main 

 sail, jib, and main-stay, appearances looked a little 

 inauspicious/' writes Captain Hilyar. But the 

 damages were soon repaired, and his two ships stood 

 back for the crippled foe. Both stationed them 

 selves on her port-quarter, the Phoebe at anchor, 

 with a spring, firing her broadside, while the Cherub 

 kept under way, using her long bow-chasers. Their 

 fire was very destructive, for they were but of reach 

 of the Essex's carronades, and not one of her long 

 guns could be brought to bear on them. Porter 

 now cut his cable, at 5.20, and tried to close with 



