Bonnet sets sail toward Rhett's force at…
September 1718 CE
Bonnet sets sail toward Rhett's force at daybreak on September 27, 1718, and all three sloops open fire, initiating the Battle of Cape Fear River.
The two South Carolinian sloops split up in an effort to bracket the Saint James.
Bonnet tries to avoid the trap by steering the Saint James close to the river's western shore, but runs aground in the process.
Rhett's closing sloops also run aground, leaving only the Henry in range of the Saint James.
The battle is at a stalemate for the next five or six hours, with all the participants immobilized.
Bonnet's men have the advantage that their deck is heeled away from their opponents, giving them cover, while the Henry's deck is tilted toward the pirates, thus exposing Rhett's men to punishing musket volleys.
Bonnet's force suffers twelve casualties while killing ten and wounding fourteen of Rhett's seventy-man crew.
Most of Bonnet's men fight enthusiastically, challenging their enemies to board and fight hand to hand, and tying a knot in their flag as a mock signal to come aboard and render aid.
Bonnet himself patrols the deck with a pistol drawn, threatening to kill any pirate who falters in the fight.
Some of the prisoners who have been forced to join the pirate crew nevertheless refuse to fire on Rhett's men, and one narrowly escapes death at Bonnet's hands in the confusion of the engagement.
The battle is ultimately decided when the rising tide lifts Rhett's sloops free while temporarily leaving the Royal James stranded.
Bonnet is left helpless, watching while the enemy vessels repair their rigging and closed to board his paralyzed vessel.
Bonnet's me, outnumbered almost three to one, have little hope of winning a boarding action.
Bonnet orders his gunner, George Ross, to blow up the Royal James's powder magazine.
Ross apparently attempts this, but is overruled by the remainder of the crew, who surrender.
Rhett arrests the pirates and returns to Charleston with his prisoners.