[CRUIKSHANK| COMMAND OF LAKE ONTARIO, 1812-1813 175 
The commander of the Moira was soon after put under arrest 
by him for neglect of duty ‘‘as the outfit of that vessel has been re- 
tarded by him so much that she is not ready for sea after an outfit 
and repair of nearly four months.” 
The Gloucester had been unable to sail from York because the 
necessary repairs to make her seaworthy had not been made. 
Chauncey on the other hand had fully completed all his prepara- 
tions for the expedition against York. On the night of April 18, 
the ice in Sackett’s Harbour broke up suddenly and within a few 
hours had almost disappeared. All his vessels were then ready 
for sea and in a letter, dated next day, he announced his intention of 
sailing with the first fair wind to execute his plan if no orders to the 
contrary were received. The letter from the Secretary approving 
this, did not, however, arrive until the 21st, although it was dated on 
April 8. Eighteen hundred soldiers were embarked on the 22nd in 
expectation of a favourable wind, and General Dearborn also went on 
board. In compliance with Dearborn’s urgent request although 
contrary to his own judgment, Chauncey got under way next morning 
but before gaining the lake a fierce squall of wind, accompanied with 
heavy rain, struck the squadron and materially damaged some of the 
vessels. As not more than half the troops could find shelter below, 
he returned to his anchorage and began repairs. 
“T am particularly anxious,” he wrote, ‘to get the troops to 
the place of destination as soon as possible for crowded as they now 
are on board the different vessels, they aswell as my own men will 
very soon become sickly. We have on board the Madison about 600 
souls and many of the smaller vessels are more crowded than our- 
selves.’” 
Sailing on April 25 with a fair wind his squadron of fourteen sail, 
including one unarmed transport, arrived in sight of York at dawn 
on the 27th. A suitable anchorage for disembarking was selected 
about a mile southwest of the principal battery which had been con- 
structed to command the entrance to the bay, and as near shore as 
seemed safe. An open space near the ruins of the French fort was 
indicated as the pointof landing. Very clear and explicit orders were 
issued for this operation which began at eight o’clock and continued 
for two hours under cover of a steady fire from the larger vessels. 
As a strong breeze sprang up from eastward many of the boats were 
carried to leeward and thus became exposed to rifle-fire from a small 
body of troops hidden in the woods. When most of the troops were 
ashore Chauncey ordered the schooners to take up a suitable position 
1 Gray to Colonel Halket, April 24. 
2 Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy, April 24. 

