towards the Brazilians. In response, Sena Pereira gave the order to form a battle line and drop anchor. However, once again, the result was confusion and disorder: some of the gunboat drifted out of formation and downwind. Sena Pereira, shouting ineffectively with a megaphone, tried to restore order. With the Argentines closing quickly and in good order, he changed his decision, now ordering his fleet to raise anchors and attempt to maneuver. Dona Januária, Bertioga and Oriental duly advanced on the approaching Argentines, but without the support of the rest of the squadron, which remained dispersed behind them. The three ships were quickly engaged by General Balcarce and the Argentine vanguard. The Argentine fire was effective: a shot from General Balcarce soon destroyed Januárias bowsprit, and another knocked down her foremast, causing such disruption that she was on the point of foundering. Sena Pereira ordered the small schooner Vitoria de Colonia to take Januária under tow, but the schooner Uruguay blocked the way. The attack was so rapid and devastating that the captain of Januária, Lieutenant Pedro Antonio Carvalho, ordered his cannon to concentrate on the Argentine artillery while a team remained to attempt to scuttle the ship and he departed with the crew in boats towards the east. For his part, Drummond, commander of Maldonado, attacked Bertioga, under the command of his old comrade, Lieutenant George Broom. An accurate shot from a heavy Argentine gun knocked down the main mast of Bertioga and the ship, now unable to maneuver, was forced to surrender after a half hour of combat. Throughout this time, General Balcarce under Francisco Seguí led a combined attack against Oriental. The intense crossing fire knocked out Orientals cannon, half of its carronades, and caused 37 casualties, including Sena Pereira. Despite the losses the Brazilians refused to strike their colors, which had been nailed to the mast. Finally the ship was boarded and Seguí accepted the sword of the Brazilian commander as a sign of surrender. With the surrender of Oriental the remaining vessels of the Brazilian fleet disengaged and attempted to flee, turning the Argentine victory into a rout. Brown transferred his flag to General Balcarce and ordered Sarandí and the gunboats to give chase to the broken Brazilian squadron. He boarded the surrendered Brazilian flagship and was presented with the sword of the Brazilian commander, at which he commended Francisco Seguí with the words "Usted