It ricochetted past the _Lawrence_.

A few minutes later she fired a second shot, which smashed into the starboard bulwarks of the _Lawrence_ and sent a cloud of splinters flying.

The reply to these was a 32-pounder from the _Scorpion_.

Then the firing became more rapid, the enemy possessing the advantage at long range.
Most of the shots from the British vessels were directed against Perry's flagship, which suffered considerably.

He therefore made sail to get to close quarters.