222 THE. ROYAL (SOCIETY OF CANADA 
“It will become absolutely necessary,’’ Chauncey wrote, “to 
increase our naval force upon this lake, so as to be ready to meet the 
enemy upon equal terms in the spring. I have positive information 
from Kingston, from a person who left there Sunday last, that the 
enemy have two vessels with all their ribs up and in a state for planking. 
One of these vessels is said to be 150 feet keel; the other about 123. 
They have the materials for a third in a state of preparation. Situated 
as our army is at present they cannot prevent the enemy from sending 
from Montreal to Kingston all the ordnance and stores that will be 
required to fit these vessels for service and no doubt they will profit 
by the opportunity.’ 
Yeo took advantage of Chauncey’s departure from his station 
off Wolfe Island to send all his gunboats under Captain Mulcaster, 
escorting a division of bateaux with a body of picked troops from Kings- 
ton, in pursuit of the American flotilla descending the St. Lawrence. 
These gunboats rendered effective service by menacing and harassing 
the rear guard of the expedition. Two American schooners were scut- 
tled and abandoned by their crews to avoid capture. Parties of troops 
were landed at Ogdensburg and Hamilton who brought off two heavy 
guns and quantities of provisions and stores left behind at those 
places. During the action at Chrysler’s Farm the gunboats protected 
and supported the right flank of Colonel Morrison’s force with their 
fire. Mulcaster afterwards descended the river to Coteau du Lac 
and opened communication with the division of gunboats stationed 
in Lake St. Francis. He continued to observe the American position 
on Salmon River until winter set in. 
The construction of two frigates and several gunboats at Kingston 
was carried on with great activity by Yeo and O’Conor during the 
two last months of the year. Early in December Yeo despatched 
Scott, his first lieutenant, by the toilsome overland route to Halifax 
to inform Sir John Warren of his exact situation. 
“The two new ships are in a very forward state,” Yeo said, 
“and I am almost certain of having a force in the spring, sufficiently 
strong to meet the enemy with effect and decision. I need not point 
out to you, Sir, the great advantages that are to be hoped for by 
this squadron being on the lake three weeks or a month before the 
enemy. This, I think, is certain if I receive a reinforcement of seamen 
by the beginning of April and not otherwise, and I know of no other 
possible means of obtaining them but by their marching to Quebec. 
Lieut. Scott is well qualified to conduct, having travelled that road 
before. 
1 Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy, Nov. 25. 
