After obtaining leave from the doge to go out and give battle, he sailed into the roadstead on the 25th.

The two fleets drew up in line of battle, facing each other.

Just as the combat was about to commence a strange panic seized the Genoese, and, without exchanging a blow or firing a shot, they fled hastily.

Pisani pursued them for some miles, and then returned to his old station.
The grief and despair of the garrison of Chioggia, at the sight of the retreat of their fleet, was in proportion to the joy with which they had hailed its approach.

Their supply of fresh water was all but exhausted.