Still no notice was taken, but the Essex gave the appearance of renewed exertion to escape, while the Lively Bee kept signaling for assistance. The two vessels were near enough for the most minute signals to be understood, and the Britisher declared that he would add two more prizes to his conquests before the day was out, meaning the Essex and the Bee.
Three ringing cheers were given by the British crew, and the Union Jack was run up the mast.
At the same time a broadside was fired at the Essex.
In an instant the ports of the sham merchantman were knocked out; and, with warlike thunder, the heavy carronades hurled their ponderous shots against the side of the war ship. Before the Britisher could reply the Lively Bee had sent a shot careening over the enemy's deck, killing the first lieutenant and two of the men. The English ship replied but feebly. The men of the Essex and Lively Bee fired too quickly and too accurately for much resistance, and in less than eight minutes after the engagement opened the British hauled down their flag.
The captured ship proved to be the sloop-of-war Alert, mounting twenty eighteen-pound carronades.
The boarding officer found her badly cut up, and seven feet of water in the hold. The officers were sent on board the Essex, and the Alert taken in tow.
The victory was complete, but hardly one to be exultant over, as the Essex was superior both in size and armaments to the Alert. However, the Essex has the honor of having the first British war ship.