The battle took place on 20 and 21 December 1782, some three weeks after the signing of the preliminary articles of peace between Great Britain and the former American colonies.

[1] The inactivity of the British, American and French armies meant that the Royal Navy was free to concentrate on enemy trade.

[5] As well as the large South Carolina, the privateer 10-gun brig Hope, commanded by John Prole and carrying tobacco and flour; another privateer brig Constance, under Commander Jesse Harding; and the six-gun schooner Seagrove, under Captain Benjamin Bradhurst, had joined them for protection.

Whilst Diomede was chasing Seagrove, Constance, having never strayed from her course, had continued east and surrendered to Quebec and Astraea without pointless resistance.

By 1500hrs the British ships were close enough to exchange shots and could each yaw, fire a broadside, and return to the chase while preventing South Carolina from doing the same.

The first of the British broadsides did major damage to South Carolina, leading Joyner to call his officers together to discuss whether to fight or to continue the flight.

[2] The British were soon in position to fire six broadsides, five from the Diomede and the other from the Quebec, all aimed at South Carolina's masts, sails and rigging, which within two hours were in tatters.

[6] Joyner, now seeing the hopelessness of South Carolina's situation, decided to fire her guns one last time, not wishing to surrender with his cannon loaded.

Fifty German and eight British prisoners that the Americans had recruited out of captivity in Philadelphia were released, as they had once served as soldiers in General John Burgoyne's army.

[7] Because of the number of men involved, the British treated their American prisoners strictly, locking them under hatches and not allowing more than two to come up on deck at the same time.