HISTORY

Fighting on Lake Ontario, Summer 1813

US Commodore Isaac Chauncy spent the summer of 1813 chasing the British fleet on Lake Ontario, but without success. He managed to sight the British fleet first on August 7, off the mouth of the Niagara River. That night a fierce storm managed to sink the USS Hamilton (12 guns) and the USS Scourge (10 guns). Chauncy managed to reengage on August 10, sending out his schooners as bait to lure the British into the guns of the main US fleet. At first, the plan seemed to go well… until the USS Growler (5 guns) and the USS Julia (4 guns) turned the wrong way. Instead of returning to the US fleet, they ended up sailing into the British fleet and were easily captured.

Having already lost four ships without firing a shot, Chauncy withdrew. He would not venture forth until September. Reinforced by the new USS Sylph (10 guns), Chauncy went hunting the British again. On September 11, he found his quarry off the mouth of the Genesee River. The water was calm and both sides exchanged gunfire. Chauncy, however, kept his distance and neither side took any serious damage. The British withdrew across the lake to York with Chauncy in pursuit. He finally caught up to them on September 28, in the middle of a gale. The USS General Pike (26 guns) managed to destroy the masts of HMS Wolfe (112 guns). But a 24lb long gun exploded on the General Pike’s deck. Once the casualties were removed, the general Pike moved in to capture the helpless Wolfe. In the intervening time, the Royal George (20 Guns) pulled up alongside to defend her. The HMS Royal George managed to haul the Wolfe out of danger in the bad weather and both fleets returned to their bases.

Both sides licked their wounds until October when Chauncy made a raid on a poorly defended British merchant convoy. He captured the ships which included the now disarmed USS Growler and the USS Julia that had been captured in August. Both sides took away the wrong lessons from the engagements, convinced that firepower, rather than aggressive action, was the key to naval success on the lakes. The race to build the biggest fleet was on.