 Once the range had closed to within a few hundred yards, Captain Hull ordered extra sail (the foresail and main topgallant sail) to be set, to close the distance quickly.Dacres did not match this maneuver, and the two ships began exchanging broadsides at "half pistol-shot", with "Constitution" to starboard and "Guerriere" to port.After fifteen minutes of this exchange, during which "Guerriere" suffered far more damage than "Constitution" due to the latter's larger guns and thicker hull, "Guerriere" mizzenmast fell overboard to starboard, acting like a rudder and dragging her around.