 The New Englanders departed Annapolis Royal on 10 / 21 June in a whaleboat and two flatboats , heading up the Annapolis River . Because they were delayed by the tide , word of the force 's departure preceded them , giving the Indians time to set up an ambush near the mouth of what later became known as Bloody Creek . The whaleboat was faster on the water , and was about a mile ( 1 @.@ 6 km ) ahead of the flatboats when it reached the ambush site . The surprise was complete : all but one of the whaleboat 's men were killed . Hearing the gunfire , the flatboats hurried to catch up , and carelessly made directly for the whaleboat . This exposed them to fire from Indians on the shore , and they suffered further significant casualties before they were surrounded and the survivors surrendered . Sixteen were killed , nine wounded , and the rest were captured . 
