While cruising off the coast of South Carolina the United States Navy warship USS St. Lawrence encountered a Confederate privateer named Petrel.

Petrel had a crew of fewer than fifty crewmen while St. Lawrence carried nearly 500 into battle, she left Charleston on July 28 and was discovered on the same date.

It was night on July 28 when lookouts informed Captain Purviance that they had sighted a ship flying British colors off the South Carolina coast.

Some accounts say USS St. Lawrence was disguised as a merchantman during the engagement which successfully lured Petrel in for an attack, but at some point Captain Perry discovered the true nature of the Union frigate and he decided to flee as fast as he could.

USS St. Lawrence received some damage to her sails and rigging, though it was only slight and the ship was easily repaired, at least one man suffered from minor wounds.