two o'clock
It was an imposing sight as the fleet formed in two divisions and came slowly in their wake . Each ship covered a bomb ketch , protecting the smaller vessels from the enemy 's fire . Desmond himself was kept very busy , going from ship to ship as ordered by signals from the Kent , and assisting each captain in turn to navigate the unfamiliar harbor . It was just two o'clock when the engagement began with a shot from the fort at the Kingfisher . The shot was returned , and a quarter of an hour later , while the fleet was under full sail , the Kent flew the signal for a general action . One by one the vessels anchored at various points opposite the fortifications , and soon a hundred and fifty guns were blazing away at the massive bastions and curtains , answered vigorously by Angria 's two hundred and fifty . Desmond was all excitement .