The English crews broke into cheers, believing the battle won, but they could not take possession of the _Lawrence_, which drifted out of range.
Captain Barclay now made an attempt to change his line of battle with a view of bringing his other broadsides into action.

The line became broken and entangled, observing which, Perry took instant advantage of it.

The _Niagara_, passing through the disorganized squadron, raked the vessels fore and aft, while the other American vessels promptly followed, and added to the confusion of the enemy and the dreadful destruction on board.

The Americans were now at close quarters and able to do their best work, and so dreadful was it that fifteen minutes later a white handkerchief was waved at the end of a boarding-pike on one of the boats as a signal of surrender.
Firing ceased, and in the smoke and confusion two of the enemy's boats darted away in an attempt to escape; but they were followed and brought back.

Determined to honor the _Lawrence_, Perry now had himself rowed to the wreck, drifting some distance away in charge of the few that had survived the awful conflict.