Codrington initially accepted one Egyptian commander's assurance that his ship would remain neutral and directed Asia's fire elsewhere. After an interpreter sent to clarify the situation was shot and the second flagship opened fire, Asia and Azov delivered converging broadsides against it. The frigate could answer with about 30 guns while facing roughly 82 across the two allied broadsides. Fire from the deeper Ottoman lines still reached Asia, while possible friendly fire from Genoa revealed the confusion of the confined anchorage.
Chapter · 1:17:56-1:21:24
Asia's close-range flagship duel
Asia first concentrated on one neighboring flagship, then joined Azov against another after Codrington's interpreter was killed and the second ship opened fire.