1898-99. | THE CONTEST FOR THE COMMAND OF LAKE ERIE IN 1812-13. 359 
THE CONTEST FOR THE COMMAND OF LAKE ERIE IN 
1812—1813. 
By LIeEuT. CoL. ERNEST CRUIKSHANK. 
(Read May 6th, 1899.) 
Long before the actual declaration of war took place Major-General 
Brock had foreseen and pointed out that the defence of Upper Canada 
would be largely dependent on the command of the lakes and that a 
successful invasion of that province was scarcely possible as long as this 
remained with the British. Ina letter to the Governor-General dated 
December 2nd, 1811, he remarked :— 
“From Amherstburg to Fort Erie my chief dependence must rest on 
a naval force for the protection of that extensive coast. But considering 
the state to which it is reduced, extraordinary exertions and great ex- 
pense will be required before it can be rendered efficient. At present it 
only consists of a ship and a small schooner, the latter of a bad construc- 
tion, old, and in want of many repairs yet she is the only King’s vessel 
able to navigate Lake Huron, whilst the Americans have a sloop and a 
fine brig capable of carrying twelve guns and in perfect readiness for any 
service.”* } 
In merchant shipping the Americans possessed an undoubted superior- 
ity. They had three stout schooners and a sloop of between sixty 
and ninety tons burden besides five or six smaller vessels, while only five 
small schooners or sloops were the property of Canadian owners. The 
construction of a schooner to carry twelve guns which was named The 
Lady Prevost was at once authorized. Brock then urged the superan- 
nuation of Commodore Alexander Grant, who was eighty-five years of age 
and had been in command a full half century, and that two companies 
of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment should be sent forward to act as 
seamen and marines.t These precautions, trifling as they were, gave him 
the temporary control of Lake Erie, for the American Government was 
*“ Canadian Archives,” C, 673, p. 171. 
t‘‘ Canadian Archives,” C, 728, p, 64. 
