When The Glorious launched its grappling hooks, the two warships immediately commenced a long-range exchange of fire. Heavy muskets, light muskets, harquebuses, fuse-lock muskets, and even steel crossbows and stones—whatever was available was used.
The sound of gunfire popped like exploding beans, with both sides desperately trying to send more bullets and arrows onto the enemy's ship.
The army officers who had climbed onto the platform had received orders from the legion commander, ignoring those enemies with muskets and instead focusing on suppressing the opponent's swivel guns.
Several arms stretched out from behind the hull of The Revenge, attempting to cut the grappling hooks. However, as the distance between the ships narrowed, for every hook that was cut, two more latched onto The Revenge's gunwales.
Venetian sailors chanted cadence as they pulled on the ropes, dragging The Revenge closer to the side of The Glorious.