198 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
-the Prince Regent, carried two long nine pounders, ten eighteen 
pounder carronades, and seventy men. In addition to these crews, 
two subalterns and ninety-six other ranks of the 100th Regiment 
and four subalterns and one hundred and twenty-six other ranks of 
the Royal Newfoundland Regiment to act as marines, were distributed 
on board in the following proportions, one officer and forty-eight 
other ranks of the 100th on the Wolfe and the same number on the 
Royal George; of the Royal Newfoundland, one officer and thirty- 
eight others on the Melville, one officer and thirty-four others on the 
Moira, one officer and twenty-two others on the Sidney Smith, and 
one officer and twenty-seven others on the Beresford. Just before 
sailing additional detachments of two sergeants and sixteen men of 
the Royal Scots and nine men of the 8th were taken on board the two 
ships. 
The armament of the enemy’s two ships and the brig had been 
accurately ascertained but there was considerable uncertainty as 
to that of the schooners which was liable to change from time to 
time. The addition of two guns on circles to the Pike was made 
just before sailing and came as a surprise. In calm weather and at 
long range Chauncey would have an enormous advantage. In long 
guns the American squadron was four times as strong as his own, 
while in carronades, his was twice as strong as his enemy. The Pike 
alone at a single broadside threw as much metal as all the American 
schooners and all her guns were long, entirely outranging those of 
the British ships. With a fair wind and a windward position she 
might be able to meet and beat his entire squadron. Under such 
circumstances the schooners were formidable adversaries, whereas 
in a gale or at close quarters they were nearly useless. All Yeo’s 
vessels, except the Sidney Smith, were built for war and capable of 
acting together. They constituted a fairly good manoeuvering 
squadron. Chauncey’s vessels manoeuvered badly as the duller 
sailers impeded the others, for they frequently had to be taken in 
tow to enable .them to keep up. Yeo believed that success could 
only be attained, by coming swiftly to close quarters when the smashing 
effect of his heavy carronades ought to be irresistible. The number of 
marines was consequently increased to enable him to carry any 
disabled vessels by boarding. 
Calm weather varied by light breezes continued for almost a week 
and prevented him from reaching the head of the lake until August 
6. He learned that the American squadron was still at anchor off 
Niagara. During the night he stood over in that direction in the hope 
of surprising and running close alongside the enemy at daybreak. 
Dawn came upon him while still ten miles distant and his approach was 
