A neutral harbor prohibited the two sides from simply opening fire, so Hillyar sailed Phoebe close enough to inspect Essex and test Porter's response. He may have hoped Chile would impound the American ship or that Porter would violate neutrality by firing first. Porter instead prepared to grapple and fight at close range, prompting Phoebe to haul away. Those preparations also left Essex unable to put to sea before the faster British frigate cleared the harbor. Hillyar nearly converted diplomacy, legal restraint, and Porter's tactical posture into victory without a battle.
Notable Point · 1:44:18-1:46:13
Hillyar tries to win inside the neutral harbor without firing
Phoebe entered Valparaíso hoping diplomacy or an American first shot might settle the problem, while Porter's grappling preparations delayed the escape opportunity the visit briefly created.