“It was a dry cargo and ammunition ship, not a combat vessel.”
That’s correct, and I would believe the keyword here is “ammunition”.
Seems to me the best thing for an unarmed, under contract to the Navy vessel full of ammunition to do is haul a...., er,...uh, Haul tail out of there.
I think they done good. (A little Joe Don Baker there)
If you are a non-combat vessel that can outrun a skiff armed just with pea shooters, why bother engaging? It isn’t like an AK-47 can pierce the hull or something. Just order all crew indoors and speed on by.