The Naval War of 1812 / Or the History of the United States Navy during the Last War with Great Britain to Which Is Appended an Account of the Battle of New Orleans

by Theodore Roosevelt

Chapter VIII

1814 ON THE LAKES

ONTARIO—The contest one of ship-building merely—Statistics of the two squadrons—Serious sickness among the Americans—Extreme caution of the commanders, verging on timidity—Yeo takes Oswego and blockades Sackett's Harbor—British gun-boats captured—Chauncy blockades Kingston.—ERIE—Captain Sinclair burns St. Joseph—Makes unsuccessful expedition against Mackinaw—Daring and successful cutting-out expeditions of the British—Capture of the Ohio and Somers.—CHAMPLAIN—Macdonough's and Downie's squadrons—James' erroneous statements concerning them—Gallant engagement and splendid victory of Macdonough—Macdonough one of the greatest of American sea-captains