 The British gunboats and Carleton then maneuvered within range of the American line . Thunderer and HMS Maria were unable to make headway against the winds , and did not participate in the battle , while Inflexible eventually came far enough up the strait to participate in the action . Around 12 : 30 pm , the battle began in earnest , with both sides firing broadsides and cannonades at each other , and continued all afternoon . Revenge was heavily hit ; Philadelphia was also heavily damaged and eventually sank around 6 : 30 pm . Carleton , whose guns wrought havoc against the smaller American gundalows , became a focus of attention . A lucky shot eventually snapped the line holding her broadside in position , and she was seriously damaged before she could be towed out of range of the American line . Her casualties were significant ; eight men were killed and another eight wounded . The young Edward Pellew , serving as a midshipman aboard Carleton , distinguished himself by ably commanding the vessel to safety when its senior officers , including its captain , Lieutenant James Dacres , were injured . Another lucky American shot hit a British gunboat 's magazine and the vessel exploded . 
