322 Naval War of 1812 



vessels, and the British testimony is unanimous, 

 that it was to them the defeat was primarily due. 

 The American fleet came into action in worse form 

 than the hostile squadron, the ships straggling badly, 

 either owing to Perry having formed his line badly, 

 or else to his having failed to train the subordinate 

 commanders how to keep their places. The Niagara 

 was not fought well at first, Captain Elliott keeping 

 her at a distance that prevented her from doing any 

 damage to the vessels opposed, which were battered 

 to pieces by the gunboats without the chance of re- 

 plying. It certainly seems as if the small vessels 

 at the rear of the line should have been closer up, 

 and in a position to render more effectual assistance ; 

 the attack was made in too loose order, and, whether 

 it was the fault of Perry or of his subordinates, it 

 fails to reflect credit on the Americans. Cooper, as 

 usual, praises all concerned; but in this instance 

 not with very good judgment. He says the line- 

 of-battle was highly judicious, but this may be 

 doubted. The weather was peculiarly suitable for 

 the gunboats, with their long, heavy guns; and yet 

 the line-of-battle was so arranged as to keep them 

 in the rear, and let the brunt of the assault fall on 

 the Lawrence, with her short carronades. Cooper 

 again praises Perry for steering for the head of 

 the enemy's line, but he could hardly have done any- 

 thing else. In this battle the firing seems to have 

 been equally skilful on both sides, the Detroit's long 

 guns being peculiarly well served; but the British 

 captains manoeuvred better than their foes at first, 



