s eS oe 
~ 1898-99. | THE CONTEST FOR THE COMMAND OF LAKE ERIE IN 1812-13. 361 
part of the defence of Upper Canada. Having already transmitted to 
your Lordship’s predecessor a list of the vessels in commission, I have 
now to state the difficulties which attend providing them with proper 
officers and suitable crews. For the present I have allotted the New- 
foundland Fencibles for that service and the Quarter-Master General 
has picked up a scanty supply of sailors at Quebec. 
“ But the officers are in general deficient in experience, and particular- 
ly in that energetic spirit which distinguishes British seamen. In conse- 
quence it will be highly necessary in the event of the continuance of the 
war with America that tried officers of the rank of lieutenant and trusty 
men from the navy should be appropriated for that service and sent to 
me as early as possible next spring.”* 
The Lady Prevost had been launched at Amherstburg about the mid- 
dle of July and as soon as she could be made ready to sail, was sent to 
Fort Erie to protect that flank of the line of defence on the Niagara 
while the greater part of the regular troops were withdrawn for the relief 
of Amherstburg. The Addams was put in commission as the Detrozt soon 
after her capture and for the remainder of the year all the vessels were 
chiefly employed in transporting troops and stores, the Hunter on Lake 
Huron and the others on Lake Erie, although there were scarcely sea- 
men enough to navigate them in fair weather. 
A return of October 2nd,°1812, shows that there were only six officers, 
eleven petty officers, eight able seamen and nineteen ordinary seamen 
distributed among these four vessels, while their regular complement was 
twelve officers, thirty-six petty officers, forty-four able seamen, and 
forty-four ordinary seamen. An attempt was made to supply this seri- 
ous deficiency by putting on board an additional number of the Royal 
Newfoundland Regiment to act as marines or sailors as circumstances 
might dictate. Thus the crew of the Queen Charlotte consisted of a cap- 
tain, a surgeon, four petty officers, three able and thirteen ordinary sea- 
men, one volunteer, and thirty-three marines. Her proper complement 
was six officers, thirteen petty officers, twenty able and twenty ordinary 
seamen, fourteen landsmen, six boys and seventeen marines. The Lady 
Prevost had three officers, three petty officers, one able and one ordinary 
seaman, three landsmen, two volunteers and twenty-two marines. Her 
complement was three officers, eight petty officers, ten able and ten or- 
dinary seamen, two boys, and eleven marines. The Defrozt was manned 
by one officer, two petty officers, three able and three ordinary seamen, 
four landsmen and eleven marines. Her complement was two officers, 
*** Canadian Archives,” Q. 118, p. 273. 
