 In early 1700, after plundering and sinking five merchant ships in Chesapeake Bay, he was expecting only the elderly "Essex Prize" guardship, but was surprised to find instead the fifth-rate frigate HMS "Shoreham" under Captain William Passenger.The "Shoreham" had arrived in April 1700 in response to pirate John James looting a number of vessels in the area and forcing the outgunned "Essex Prize" to retreat.After Guittar chased the remaining merchantman into Lynnhaven Bay, Virginia on May 3, 1700, Virginia Governor General Francis Nicholson accompanied Passenger aboard the "Shoreham", reportedly standing on the foredeck throughout the fight.