The new French frigate appears to have been the first of her class and still being tested. The action began at 7 a.m. when Rainbow opened fire with 32-pounder carronade chase guns. One shot killed the French second-in-command. After inspecting the fragments, the French captain concluded that Rainbow was a disguised ship of the line. He fired one broadside for honour and struck his colours. Rainbow itself was a regular frigate, but Trollope had used his authority as captain to give her a heavy carronade armament. The weight of the shot made his opponent overestimate both the ship's identity and her fighting power.
Chapter · 5:06-6:26
How Rainbow's chase guns prompted a French surrender
A 32-pounder carronade shot led the French captain to mistake Rainbow for a disguised ship of the line and surrender after one broadside.