...n, was obliged to stop, herself, and reverse her engine. Preble, now undeceived as to the possibility of the Florida's being an Englishman, opened fire upon her, as did the other two ships. The Oneida 's broadside, delivered from a distance of a few yards only, cut away the Florida's hammocks, smashed her boats, and shattered some of her spars. The three enemy's vessels now grouped themselves aro...