When Commodore Williams attacked Placentia in the fall of 1692 the greatest threat to the Frenchwas that the English would take command of the heights above the fort. To prevent this the Baronde Lahontan marched to Freshwater Cove with 60 Basque fishermen to provide resistance to anyattempted landing. From 600 to 700 English soldiers did attempt to put to shore but the fishermen,coming out of cover prematurely, caused them to retreat without landing. Though the fleet stayedon for several days, bombarding the fort and town for more than 5 hours on one occasion, there wasnever another attempt at landing since the English feared that up to 1500 men were waiting in ambush.