The British merchant ship never expected that even with a Royal Navy cruiser escort, it would still be attacked by a French frigate.
The ship quickly descended into chaos.
The second mate ordered the sailors to throw cargo into the sea, hoping to lighten the load and increase the ship's speed to escape.
The gunnery officer cracked his whip at the gunners hiding in the cabin, commanding them to retaliate.
In this pirate-infested era, merchant ships were always equipped with cannons. However, in terms of firepower, quantity, and defensive capabilities, merchant ships were no match for professional warships.
The gunners on this merchant ship were quite lucky — the first salvo fired from an 18-pound cannon struck the hull of the "Distant View."
Yet, the short-barreled cannon on the merchant ship managed only to leave a dent on the side of the "Distant View," which triggered an even more ferocious counterattack.
