Phoebe opened against Essex's stern quarter while Cherub engaged from the bow. Essex's long 12-pounder chase guns badly wounded Commander Tucker, although he remained on deck throughout the action. Porter tried to use springs on the anchor cable to turn Essex and bring her broadside to bear. The lines were repeatedly shot away, preventing the maneuver and preserving the British positional advantage. A deliberate order to target the anchor arrangements remains a possibility rather than an established part of Hillyar's plan.
Notable Point · 1:52:41-1:55:47
Phoebe opened from Essex's stern and denied her anchor maneuvers
Phoebe and Cherub attacked from different directions while repeated damage to Essex's anchor springs frustrated Porter's attempts to turn his broadside toward them.