f^ BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 485 
modore Perry arrived at Erie in June, with five small vessels 
from Black Rock. The Queen Charlotte and Lady Prevost 
were cruising off Long Point to intercept him — he passed 
them in the night unperceived. The Lawrence and Niagara 
were then on the stocks — every exertion was made to expe- 
dite their building and equipment, and early in August they 
were ready to sail. But it was necessary to pass the bar at the 
entrance of the harbor, over which there was but six feet of 
water, and the brigs drew nine. The British fleet appeared off 
the harbor, for the purpose of preventing ours from going to 
lake ! The means employed by our officers to take the brigs 
over the bar were ingenious, and deserve mention. Two large 
scows, fifty feet long, ten feet wide, and eight feet deep, were 
prepared. They were first filled with water and then floated 
alongside one of the vessels in a parallel direction ; they Avere 
then secured by means of large pieces of hewn timber placed 
athwart ship, with both ends projecting from the port-holes 
across the scows, the space between the timbers and the boat 
being secured by other pieces properly arranged ; the water 
v^as then bailed from the scows, thereby giving them an as- 
tonishing lifting power. It was thus that the bar was passed 
before the enemy had taken any steps to oppose it. One ob- 
stacle was surmounted, but the fleet was not in a condition to 
? aek the enemy at Maiden. There was not at this time more 
than half sailors enough to man the fleet. However, a num- 
ber of Pennsylvania militia having volunteered their services, 
the Commodore made a short cruise off Long Point, more 
perhaps for the purpose of exercising his men than seeking 
an enemy. 
" About the last of xlugust Commodore Perry left Erie, to 
co-operate with General Harrison in the reduction of Maiden. 
He anchored off the mouth of Sandusky river, and had an 
interview with General Harrison, who furnished him with 
about seventy volunteers, principally Kentackians, to serve as 
marines on board the fleet. Captain Dobbin, in the Ohio, was 
ordered to return to Erie for provisions. The Amelia had been 
left there for want of men to man her. Exclusive of these, be 
had nine sail, mounting, in all, fifty-four guns. The British 
feet at Maiden consisted of six sail, and mounted sixty-six 
guns. 
" Commodore Perry appeared before Maiden, offered bat- 
tle, reconnoitered the enemy, and retired to Put-in-Bay, thirty- 
five miles distant from his antagonist. Both parties remained 
41* 
