As the ships collided, Captain Broke dashed forward and shouted for boarders, leading them across to the American deck.

No more than fifty men followed him and three hundred Yankee sailors should have been able to wipe the party out, but most of the _Chesapeake_ crew were below, and, demoralized by lack of discipline and leadership, they refused to come up and stand the gaff.

Brave resistance was made by the few who remained on deck and a dozen more followed the second lieutenant, George Budd, as he rushed up to rally a forlorn hope.
It was a desperate encounter while it lasted, and Captain Broke was slashed by a saber as he led a charge to clear the forecastle.

Yet two minutes sufficed to clear the decks of the _Chesapeake_, and the few visible survivors were thrown down the hatchways.

The guns ceased firing, and the crew below sent up a message of surrender.