Meanwhile the two other divisions of the Romans had a hard struggle with the superior enemy; but in close fighting the dreaded boarding-bridges stood them in good stead, and by this means they succeeded in holding out till the two admirals with their vessels could come up.

By their arrival the Roman reserve was relieved, and the Carthaginian vessels of the right wing retired before the superior force.

And now, when this conflict had been decided in favour of the Romans, all the Roman vessels that still could keep the sea fell on the rear of the Carthaginian left wing, which was obstinately following up its advantage, so that it was surrounded and almost all the vessels composing it were taken.

The losses otherwise were nearly equal.

Of the Roman fleet 24 sail were sunk; of the Carthaginian 30 were sunk, and 64 were taken.
Landing of Regulus in Africa Notwithstanding its considerable loss, the Carthaginian fleet did not give up the protection of Africa, and with that view returned to the gulf of Carthage, where it expected the descent to take place and purposed to give battle a second time.