[CRUIKSHANK] COMMAND OF LAKE ONTARIO, 1812-1813 209 
hazard to the squadron under the possible circumstances of the enemy 
appearing on the lake, you will in that case distinctly state your 
sentiments to Major-General de Rottenburg, who will immediately 
upon your ascertaining your inability to assist him, take measures 
for evacuating the position he now occupies, in the execution of which 
movement you will give his army every support and assistance con- 
sistent with the safety of your vessels, and having performed this serv- 
ice, you will pursue such measures as will appear most probable to en- 
sure the acquisition of the naval ascendency.’”! 
Yeo sailed the same day, keeping close to the north shore to avoid 
discovery while his vessels were encumbered with siege guns and bulky 
stores. He landed these at Burlington without mishap on the 25th 
and ran into Toronto Bay next day. There he was discovered by 
the Lady of the Lake sent over from Niagara to reconnoitre. The 
American squadron got under way immediately on her return but did 
not succeed in getting clear of the river until late in the evening and 
during the night the vessels became much dispersed. After they 
reassembled in the morning, the Pike, Madison, and Sylph each took 
a large schooner in tow and the entire fleet, of eleven sail, steered 
toward York. When they came in sight Yeo made sail and stood out 
of the bay. The wind blew strong from the south-east giving Chaun- 
cey the weather gage. He bore down to engage in a long extended 
line under press of sail. At noon when the opposing ships were nearly 
within distant range, Yeo’s six vessels tacked in succession with the 
evident intention of closing with the centre of the hostile line and cut- 
ting off the schooners in rear. As soon as the Wolfe which led this 
movement came abeam the Pike, the American vessels wore in succes- 
sion and firing began; the Wolfe engaging the Pike with the schooner 
Asp which she had in tow and the schooner Governor Tompkins until 
the Royal George came to her support. The Governor Tompkins soon 
lost her foremast and fell astern. The Madison and Sylph failed to 
come up as neither of them saw fit to drop the schooners they had in 
tow. At the end of twenty minutes, the Wolfe had lost her main 
and mizzen top-masts and main yard. Being thus deprived of all 
her after sail, there was no other alternative than to keep before the 
wind which was fair for Burlington Bay and the protection of the 
batteries on the heights. All sail was made at once on her foremast 
in the effort to get away. As she ran to leeward the Royal George 
luffed up across her stern, “delivering her broadsides in a manner to 
extort exclamations of delight from the American fleet.’’"?> The Pike 
immediately hauled off and took up a distance out of carronade range 

1 Prevost to Yeo, Kingston, Sept. 19. 
2 Cooper, History of the Navy of the United States of America, II, 433. 
