170 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
necessary to be adopted for the security of the post and the marine 
establishment so as to’retain the ascendency on the lake. The latter 
is a very serious and difficult task which must require the greatest 
exertions and assistance from the Lower Province to arm the new 
ship that is now building, for unless this vessel is completely armed 
and manned, it will not be possible to effect a junction with the ships 
GEM One Sere ene See tale Seley hd It is much to be regretted 
under present circumstances that the whole of the naval establishment 
has not been concentrated at this post. It would have saved much 
time and expense in transport, united all the workmen unde rone head, 
and insured the armament of your ships. It would then only have 
been necessary to have secured this post against attack until your fleet 
was fully prepared and equipped to proceed on the lake. The evil 
is now without remedy and the best must be done to concentrate and 
unite as soon as possible, but by no means to venture from hence until 
your vessels are rendered fully efficient with men and arms.” 
On his arrival at York about the end of the month, Bruyeres 
found that all naval construction had been held up owing to an un- 
fortunate difference of opinion between Captain Gray and the superin- 
tendent of the dockyard as to the best place for carrying it out. This 
was only settled by a reference to Major-General Sheaffe who was then 
slowly recovering from a dangerous illness. | 
“T must candidly observe to Your Excellency,’’ Bruyeres wrote 
from that place on January 28, “that I have a much more unfavourable 
opinion of the possibility of obtaining an ascendancy on the lake than 
I had when at Kingston. There are so many difficulties to be sur- 
mounted and this country is so totally deprived of resources or means 
within itself that the distance becomes a very serious obstacle, particu- 
larly as the armament for these new ships must entirely come from 
Lower Canada and ought if possible to be sent complete during the 
winter for the enemy are fully prepared to commence their naval 
operations immediately on the opening of navigation. York may un- 
doubtedly in time of peace be made an excellent harbour and dockyard, 
much preferable to Kingston, but under present circumstances it is 
totally incompetent for the purpose and the latter must be made use 
of until York will be well established.” 
Satisfactory progress was made on the ship at Kingston, although 
it was found necessary to dismiss two master builders in succession 
and a strike was attempted by the workmen which was only terminated 
by the appearance of a body of troops under arms. Early in February 
the entire frame was set up and the whole work so well advanced that 
Captain Gray was recalled to Montreal. The Moira was repaired 
