It is not seemly that such a task should be passed over in few words, and yet my story has run so long already that what these brave men did must be described in the smallest possible space.
The gunboat Trippe, in command of Lieutenant Smith, was the first craft over the bar, and the work of lightening had not been excessive. All which was taken from her could be cared for in small boats, therefore once she was in deep water her armament and stores were quickly on board again.
The Porcupine, commanded by Midshipman Senat, and the Ohio, captained by my father, went over at about the same time, that is to say, during Sunday night.
The Scorpion, with Sailing-Master Champlin in command, did not succeed in crossing until Monday noon, and it was late on that night before such goods as had been taken from her could be put on board again, since it became necessary to carry a goodly portion of them ashore.
The Tigress, with Master’s Mate McDonald acting as captain, and the Somers, under Sailing-Master Almy, were gotten over before Tuesday noon.
Then came the Caledonia, with Purser McGrath in command; and the Ariel, captained by Lieutenant Packet, crossing on the evening of the third day.
There were left inside only the Lawrence, which Captain Perry himself commanded; and the Niagara, under Captain Elliott, to be carried over.
But these last were, as old Silas put it, “the tough nuts of the lot;” for if it was necessary to take so much from the smaller craft before they were sufficiently lightened, it did not seem possible that the two brigs could, even by aid of the camels, be forced into the waters of the lake.
All this while, as may be imagined, the strictest watch was kept, for we knew full well Commodore Barclay was somewhere in the vicinity with his squadron, and it stood to reason that he expected we would attempt such a manœuvre as was then in progress.
Immediately the smaller vessels had been forced into deep water their guns were put in position and loaded; everything was made ready as completely as if we knew an attack would be made within the next hour, and had the Britishers appeared while the brigs were comparatively helpless, I doubt not but that they would have met with a warm reception, although it is not reasonable to suppose we might have succeeded in beating them off.