Watson, who had already summoned the fort to surrender, let them know that he would not wait very long.

They were taken to view the ship with its tiers of heavy guns, and, as a grim hint of what might be expected, he presented Toolajee's friends with a thirty-two pound shot as they left the ship.
At half-past one in the afternoon, the flag of truce having returned with the Governor's refusal to surrender, signal was made to weigh, and the whole fleet stood into the harbour in three divisions, led by the _Kingsfisher_, sloop, and the _Bridgewater_.

The inner line, nearest to the fort was formed by the line-of-battle ships and the _Protector_: the Company's grabs and bombketches, with the _Guardian_, formed the second line, while the gallivats and small vessels formed a third, outer line.

As the _Kingsfisher_ came opposite the fort, a shot was fired at her.

The signal was made to engage, and as each ship reached its station it came to an anchor, the inner line being within musket-shot of the fort.