Perry's ship being reduced to a wreck, that gallant young commander, still undaunted, determined to abandon her. Hauling down his flag, he bade four stout seamen row him to the _Niagara_. The little boat sped swiftly on her way; all about her the water was churned to foam by shot and shell. Those on the flagship anxiously watched the dangerous passage, and broke into cheers as their commander reached the Niagara's deck in safety and ran up his flag on that ship. The _Lawrence_ now struck to the _Detroit_, but the latter's small boats had been so damaged by the enemy's fire that they were not seaworthy, The British, therefore, were unable to take possession of their prize before the action recommenced. A fresh breeze sprang up, and the fortunes of the fight changed. The Americans still had the advantage of the wind, for Perry was able to choose both position and distance, while Barclay's ships became unmanageable for lack of proper seamen. The American fleet was now drawn up in line. The _Niagara_ bore up to pierce the British line. Passing between the _Lady Prevost_, _Little Belt_, and _Chippewa_ on the port side and the _Detroit_, _Queen Charlotte_, and _Hunter_ upon the starboard, she fired heavy broadsides both ways. The Detroit, anticipating the manoeuvre, attempted to wear, but in so doing ran foul of the _Queen Charlotte_. In this helpless condition the two British ships remained for some time. Perry, promptly availing himself of this accident, bore down upon the distressed vessels, pouring in broadside after broadside with deadly effect. The _Detroit_ had already received rough treatment in combat with the _Lawrence_; and the smaller vessels now also made her a target, the _Somers_, _Porcupine_, _Tigress_, and _Caledonia_, which had closed up in the rear, keeping up a deadly fire astern. Never in any naval action was the loss greater in proportion to the number of men engaged. The encounter had been so severe that every officer on the _Detroit_ was either killed or wounded. Barclay's thigh was badly shattered and he had also been severely wounded in the shoulder. So deadly had been the fire from the American guns that three-fourths of his men were disabled. Without officers to direct or men to fight, resistance was no longer possible. All that perseverance and courage could do had been done. The brave Barclay was compelled to yield at last to a superior force and to double the weight of metal. The two ships so helplessly entangled were the first to strike their colours, and their example was followed by the _Hunter_ and _Lady Prevost_. The _Little Belt_ and the _Chippewa_ endeavoured to escape, and led the _Trippe_ and _Scorpion_ a lively chase before they were eventually captured. Cooper in his naval history remarks: