The Spartans did not give up. A few weeks later they assembled a larger force of 77 triremes and ambushed the 20 Athenian ships in the narrow waters of the gulf east of Nafpaktos. They attacked Phormio and managed to capture nine ships. The others reached the safety of Nafpaktos, except for the last one. It was being pursued by a Spartan trireme when it rowed around a merchant ship anchored offshore and rammed its pursuer amidships. The unexpected turn of events encouraged the Athenians who came out of the harbour and attacked the Spartans, who being inexperienced, fell into great confusion. Some of their ships crashed ashore and others were captured by the Athenians, who even managed to liberate the nine triremes they had lost just a few hours earlier.