BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMFLAIN. 491 
can squadron, at about 300 yards distance ; the Confiance op- 
posed to the Saratoga ; the Linnet to the Eagle ; the British 
galleys and one of the sloops to the Ticonderoga, Preble, and 
the left division of the American galleys ; the other sloops to 
the right division of the American galleys. 
In this situation the whole force on both sides became en- 
gaged, the Saratoga suffering much from the heavy fire of the 
Confiance. But the fire of the Saratoga was also very de- 
structive to her. The Ticondoroga likewise gallantly sus- 
tained her full share of the action. At half past 10 o'clock the 
Eagle, not being able to bring her guns to bear, cut her cable 
and anchored in a more eligible position, between the Sara- 
toga and the Ticonderoga, where she very much annoyed the 
enemy, but unfortunately left the Saratoga exposed to a gall- 
ing fire from the enemy's brig. The guns on the starboard 
side of the Saratoga being nearly all dismounted, or not 
manageable, a stern anchor was let go, the bovver cable cut, 
and the ship winded with a fresh broadside on the enemy's 
ship, which soon after surrendered. A broadside was then 
sprung to bear on the brig, which surrendered in about fifteen 
minutes after. 
The sloops that were opposed to the Eagle had struck some 
time before, and drifted down the line ; the sloop which was 
with their galleys having struck also. Three of the enemy's 
galleys were sunk, the others pulled off The American flo- 
tilla were about obeying with alacrity the signal to follow 
them, when all the vessels were reported to the Commodore 
as in a sinking state ; it then became necessary to annul the 
signal to the galleys, and order their men to the pumps. The 
enemy's galleys thus got off in a shattered condition, for there 
was not a mast in either squadron that could stand to make sail 
on ; the lower rigging, being nearly all shot away, hung down 
as though it had been just placed over the mast heads. 
The Saratoga had fifty-five round shots in her hull ; the 
Confiance one hundred and five. The Saratoga was twice set 
on fire by hot shot from the Confiance. The enemy's shot 
must have principally passed just over the heads of the sailors, 
as there were not twenty whole hammocks in the nettings at 
the close of the action, which lasted without intermission two 
hours and twenty minutes.* 
* A cock, "the bird of war," was in the Saratoga, and repeatedly 
crowed from the shrouds during the action. A similar circumstance 
occurred in Fort M'Henry during the bombardment. 
