On the Lakes 323 



and supported one another better, so that the dis- 

 parity in damage done on each side was not equal 

 to the disparity in force. The chief merit of the 

 American commander and his followers was indom- 

 itable courage, and determination not to be beaten. 

 This is no slight merit ; but it may well be doubted 

 if it would have ensured victory had Barclay's force 

 been as strong as Perry's. Perry made a headlong 

 attack ; his superior force, whether through his fault 

 or his misfortune can hardly be said, being brought 

 into action in such a manner that the head of the 

 line was crushed by the inferior force opposed. 

 Being literally hammered out of his own ship, Perry 

 brought up its powerful twin-sister, and the already 

 shattered hostile squadron was crushed by sheer 

 weight. The manoeuvres which marked the close 

 of the battle, and which ensured the capture of all 

 the opposing ships, were unquestionably very fine. 

 The British ships were fought as resolutely as 

 their antagonists, not being surrendered till they 

 were crippled and helpless, and almost all the offi- 

 cers, and a large proportion of the men placed hors 

 de combat. Captain Barclay handled his ships like 

 a first-rate seaman. It was impossible to arrange 

 them so as to be superior to his antagonist, for the 

 latter's force was of such a nature that in smooth 

 water his gunboats gave him a great advantage, 

 while in any sea his two brigs were more than a 

 match for the whole British squadron. In short, 

 our victory was due to our heavy metal. As regards 

 the honor of the affair, in spite of the amount of 



