William Allen lead the flotilla of Excise and Marines picking his way into
the harbour trapping the owners cutters. Knowing the vessels were lost
the owner and Captains cleared what they could from the boats and handed
out muskets. Six boats made their way towards the cutters and as the lead
boat ran aground and Allen got out of to lighten the load and refloat it
the smugglers opened fire. Allen was shot twice and severely injured but
ordered the advance to continue.
Some gave covering fire hoping to assist those nearer to the cutters to
board them, smoke filled the air and the sound of battle rang through the
estuary towards the town. The firing stopped and the Excise boarded the
cutters which were now grounded by the ebbing tide. Suddenly fire open
again this time from the shore, the Haven and its outbuildings were full
of smugglers firing their weapons. The onslaught convinced the Excise commanders
to withdraw and as they returned the firing eased.
The Excise having left the smugglers reboarded the cutters and after a little more firing between the Excise and the smugglers darkness fell and they could not longer see to shot at each other. Under cover of darkness the smugglers retreated to Christchurch only returning in the early hours to move the cutters and anchor them off. At first light the Excise returned and meeting no resistance seized the 2 cutters and towed them to Southampton. At 6 am William Allen died of the injuries he sustained and the smugglers knew they would be searched out and face the death penalty.
Those involved made their escape and were the subject of considerable investigation
to track them down by the troops from Lymington on the part of the Excise.
This part of the story continues in the book which needs reading in its
own right.