304 Naval War of 1812 



kept a close blockade for some time; but on the 2d 

 of August he disappeared. Perry at once hurried 

 forward everything; and on the 4th, at 2 P.M., one 

 brig, the Lawrence, was towed to that point of the 

 bar where the water was deepest. Her guns were 

 whipped out and landed on the beach, and the brig 

 got over the bar by a hastily improvised "camel." 



"Two large scows, prepared for the purpose, were 

 hauled alongside, and the work of lifting the brig 

 proceeded as fast as possible. Pieces of massive 

 timber had been run through the forward and after 

 ports, and when the scows were sunk to the water's 

 edge, the ends of the timbers were blocked up, sup- 

 ported by these floating foundations. The plugs 

 were now put in the scows, and the water was 

 pumped out of them. By this process the brig was 

 lifted quite two feet, though when she was got on 

 the bar it was found that she still drew too much 

 water. It became necessary, in consequence, to 

 cover up everything, sink the scows anew, and block 

 up the timbers afresh. This duty occupied the 

 whole night." 27 



Just as the Lawrence had passed the bar, at 8 A.M. 

 on the 5th, the enemy reappeared, but too late ; Cap- 

 tain Barclay exchanged a few shots with the 

 schooners and then drew off. The Niagara crossed 

 without difficulty. There were still not enough men 

 to man the vessels, but a draft arrived from On- 

 tario, and many of the frontiersmen volunteered, 

 while soldiers also were sent on board. The squad- 



87 Cooper, ii, 389. Perry's letter of Aug. sth is very brief. 



