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43

in motion in Putin Bay, the Wind then at South West and light giving us the weather gage. I bore up for them in hopes of bringing them to Action among the Islands, but that intention was soon frustrated by the winds suddenly shifting to the South East, which brought the Enemy directly to Windward.

The line was formed according to a given plan so that each Ship might be supported against the Superior force of the two Brigs opposed to them. About ton the Enemy had cleared the Islands, and immediately bore up under easy sail in a line abreast, each Brig being also supported by the small Vessels. At a quarter before twelve I commenced the Action by firing a few long Guns about a quarter past the American Commodore also supported by two Schooners one carrying four long twelve Pounders, the other a long thirty two and twenty four Pounder came to close Action with the Detroit, the other Brig of the Enemy apparently destined to Engage the Queen Charlotte supported in like manner by two Schooners. Kept so far to Windward as to render the Queen Charlottes 24 Pounders useless while she was with the Lady Prevost exposed to the heavy and destructive fire of the Caledonia, and four other Schooners Armed with long and heavy Guns like those I have already described; --so soon alas was I deprived of the Services of the Noble and intrepid Captain Finnis, who soon after the commencement of the Action fell and with him fell my greatest support. - soon after Lieutenant Stokoe of the Queen Charlotte was struck senseless by a Splinter which deprived the Country of his Services at this very critical period. As I perceived the Detroit had enough to contend with without the prospect of a fresh Brig. Provincial Lieutenant Irvine, who then had charge of the Queen Charlotte behaved with great courage but his experience was much too limited to supply the place of such an Officer as Captain Finnis hence she proved of far less assistance than I expected.

The Action continued with great fury until half past two when I per- ceived my opponent drop astern and a Boat passing from him to the Niagara (which Vessel was at this tine perfectly fresh) the American Commodore seeing that as yet the day was against him (his Vessel having struck soon after he left her) and also the very defenseless state of the Detroit which Ship was now a perfect Wreck principally from the Raking fire of the Gun Boats, and also that the Queen Charlotte was in such a situations that I could receive very little assistance from her and the Lady Prevost being at this tine too far to leeward from her Rudder being injured, made a noble and alas too successful an effort to regain it, for he bore up and supported by his small Vessels passed within Pistol Shot and took a Raking position on our Bow -- nor could I prevent it as the unfortunate situation of the Queen Charlotte prevented us from weaving in attempting it, we fell on board her My Gallant first Lieutenant Garland was now mortally wounded and myself so severely, that I was obliged to quit the Deck, -- Manned as the Squadron was with not more than fifty British Sea- men, the rest a mixed Crew of Canadians and Soldiers, and who were totally unacquainted with such Service, rendered the loss of Officers more sensi- bly felt -- and never in any Action was the loss more severe every Officer commanding Vessels and their seconds was either Killed or Wounded as severely as to be unable to Keep the Deck.