 Stonington was known for preparing and harbouring "torpedoes", that is naval mines, and for supporting American attempts to destroy British warships off New London.Action commenced on 9 August, when "Dispatch" anchored within pistol shot of a battery on shore and opened fire, which the battery answered.The water was too shallow for "Pactolus" to follow, so "Dispatch" withdrew, having suffered casualties of two men dead and twelve wounded.