CHAPTER VI 

 1813 



ON THE LAKES 



ONTARIO Comparison of the rival squadrons Chauncy 

 takes York and Fort George Yeo is repulsed at Sack- 

 ett's Harbor, but keeps command of the lake Chauncy 

 sails Yeo's partial victory oil Niagara Indecisive ac- 

 tion off the Genesee Chauncy's partial victory off Bur- 

 lington, which gives him the command of the lake 

 ERIE Perry's success in creating a fleet His victory 

 CHAMPLAIN Loss of the Growler and Eagle Sum- 

 mary 



ONTARIO 



WINTER had almost completely stopped prep- 

 arations on the American side. Bad 

 weather put an end to all communication with Al- 

 bany or New York, and so prevented the transit of 

 stores, implements, etc. It was worse still with the 

 men, for the cold and exposure so thinned them out 

 that the new arrivals could at first barely keep the 

 ranks filled. It was moreover, exceedingly difficult 

 to get seamen to come from the coast to serve on 

 the lakes, where work was hard, sickness prevailed, 

 and there was no chance of prize-money. The 

 British government had the great advantage of being 

 able to move its sailors where it pleased, while in 

 the American service at that period the men en- 

 listed for particular ships, and the only way to get 



(267) 



