Lieutenant William Ramsey of the anti-slavery brig, Black Joke, had called at the island of Fernando Pó (today Bioko) for supplies, including a new set of sweeps (oars). While there, he heard of an over-confident slaver, Marinerito, about to set sail. He left the island and lay in wait to catch her.
The two ships sailed all day until suddenly, at 2100, they both hit a dead calm barely within gun range. asked for the Spanish brig’s surrender with a warning shot aimed to cut the ship off in front and answered as they said they would,
