The American flotilla, commanded by Lieutenant Thomas Macdonough, was drawn up in line to await {264}the attack, in such manner that the British ships could not enter the bay without being exposed to a broadside fire. Macdonough's vessels were all stationed with their prows to the north, the _Eagle_, of twenty guns, at the head of the line; then the _Saratoga_, flag-ship, of twenty-six guns; then the _Ticonderoga_, of seventeen; and lastly the _Preble_, of seven, which was so near a shoal that the enemy could not pass around her. Macdonough also had ten galleys or gun-boats, which he placed inside of his line, opposite the intervals between the larger vessels. The British flotilla also consisted of four large vessels--carrying respectively thirty-seven, sixteen, eleven, and eleven guns--and twelve gun-boats. The total American force was fourteen vessels, with eighty-six guns and eight hundred and fifty men; the total British force, sixteen vessels, with ninety-five guns and one thousand and fifty men. The peculiar thing in Macdonough's preparations, and the one perhaps which secured him the victory, was an arrangement by which he made it possible to turn his flag-ship almost instantly so as to bring her broadside to bear on any point. He did this by laying a kedge anchor broad off each of her bows, and carrying the hawsers to the quarters. Thus by winding in one or the other of the hawsers the stern of the ship could be swung one way or the other, {265}while the cable of the main anchor kept her bow in one place. The English line bore down upon the American in fine style, the first two vessels firing as they approached. The flag-ship _Confiance_ did not open fire till she had dropped anchor within a quarter of a mile of her foe. The _Eagle_, at the head of the American line, began firing in a wild way, without orders, before her shot could reach the enemy. The excitement was soon felt through the fleet, and was shared by a young cock which had escaped from his coop on the deck of the _Saratoga_. In response to the boom of the cannon, he flew upon a gun-slide, flapped his wings, and crowed loudly. The sailors burst into a hearty laugh, and gave three cheers. Then a long gun, sighted by Macdonough himself, was fired, and as the shot raked the deck of the _Confiance_, the whole line opened and the battle became general. The first broadside from the _Confiance_ disabled forty men on the _Saratoga_; for fifteen minutes everything was ablaze, and the roar was continuous. Then the vessel at the head of the British line struck her colors.