The primary concern of the Anglo-French allies was that cruisers of the Russian Siberian flotilla would operate against British and French trade in the area.

On 9 May 1854 the bulk of the British and French squadrons were at Callao, Peru when they received orders to operate against the Russian cruisers in the Pacific.

Diana was severely damaged by tsunamis caused by the Ansei Tokai earthquake on 23 December and sunk in a storm soon after before she could operate against the allies.

The next day (29th) the Virago and the President mounted a reconnaissance-in-force against the central position, exchanging fire with the batteries to gauge their strength.

With the movement underway to place the attackers in bombardment positions Admiral Price suffered a fatal gunshot wound in his cabin, possibly self-inflicted.

1 and 4 were effectively suppressed and small Royal Navy landing party took possession and spiked the guns of Battery no.

2 and caused a great deal of damage to the Aurora, rendering her unseaworthy until more than six months' repairs were effected.

However the French frigate Forte signaled that it wished to withdraw, and so the Virago towed her beyond the Russian range.

Despointes wanted to retreat, whereas Nicholson was more bellicose, correctly believing that the Russians had expended most of their ammunition and that one more push would overwhelm the defenders.

The deciding vote was cast by Febvrier-Despointes, who did not wish to make the attack but feared the French being labelled cowards, especially given the premature flight of the Forte and the refusal of the Eurydice to engage the enemy a few days before.

The assault group consisted of: The Petropavlovsk garrison, after the casualties sustained on 31 August, was reduced to 41 officers, 476 soldiers, 349 seamen, 18 Russian volunteers and 36 Kamchadals (total 920 men).

However de la Grandière could not locate the supposed path which would allow him to move artillery up the hill, and remained on the beach, attempting to recall the British columns.

By 8:45 the British and French Marines had secured the crest of the hill, and Burridge's column had advanced into the town and had engaged the open backs of Batteries no.

Captaine de la Grandière tried to recall the Marines, and took another 45 minutes to advance his column up the hill.

Meanwhile, van Echut's small party advanced up the beach but came under a very destructive fire from the hill and were driven back.

The Marines for their part continued to advance until they ran into well dug in entrenchments manned by riflemen and a battery of field artillery which showered them with canister and grape.

The firefight on the hill lasted around 90 minutes, with the Russians being reinforced by several hundred sailors from Battery No.

Around 1045 hours de la Grandière ordered a retreat, and Burridge's column, having climbed the northeastern slope of the hill, formed a rearguard with the French artillery at the top of the gorge.

However further casualties were incurred as Russian riflemen on the heights above found easy targets and slaughtered the landing parties.

The Allies withdrew, although President and Virago managed to capture the Russian Anadyr, a small schooner, and the 10-gun transport Sitka on 28 September 1854.