The becalmed gun-brigs became easy targets for the oar-powered gunboats, which were able to manoeuver as to overpower them and force their surrender.

Also, the French vessels were armed with guns, which outranged the carronades that constituted the bulk of the British gunboat's armament.

In July 1805 Plumper, together with her sister-ship Teazer, were part of the Royal Navy force blockading the coat of northern France.

The French force, which consisted of six brigs, a schooner, and a ketch, stood off and battered Plumper with their guns.

During the exchange of fire, Lieutenant James Henry Garrety, Plumper's captain, had an arm shot off, a leg crippled by grapeshot, and his chest lacerated by a piece of langrage.