by Gen. Napier for the creditable
manner in which they had done their duty, in the following order:

Assistant Adjt.-General's Office. Toronto, June 10. 1866.

Sir,--I am directed by Maj.-Gen. Napier, C.B., commanding Her Majesty's
forces and volunteers, Canada West, to express to you his thanks for
the efficient services rendered by the Naval Brigade under your command,
particularly recently, when required to take charge of and convert the
steamer "Rescue" into a gunboat, in discharging her cargo and getting
the necessary armament on board in a very short time and in a highly
creditable manner; and, when relieved from the charge of the "Rescue."
in performing similar good services when placed in command of the
steamer "Magnet." And the Major-General will not fail to again
avail himself of the services of the Naval Brigade afloat should an
opportunity occur, and will have great pleasure in bringing before the
notice of His Excellency the Governor-General the important and valuable
services which they have rendered.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,

Capt. McMaster,
Commanding Naval Brigade, Toronto.

W.M. S. DURIE,
Lt.-Col., A.A.G.M.

On the St. Lawrence River the necessity for a patrol of gunboats
was also very manifest, and the Government fitted out the steamer
"Watertown" for such service. She was placed in command of Lieut.
French, and was employed in cruising the upper part of the St. Lawrence
and the lower portion of Lake Ontario, making her port of rendezvous at
Kingston.

The gunboat "St. Andrew," commanded by Lieut. Spencer Smith, R.N., and
manned by a detachment of British man-of-warsmen, patrolled the St.
Lawrence between Brockville and Gananoque. She carried five guns, and
her crew were armed with the usual fighting equipment of seamen in the
British navy.

The steamer "Wabuno" was armed and placed in commission to cruise on
the Georgian Bay, in which waters her crew performed active and vigilant
service on patrol duty for several weeks.

On the Niagara River and Lake Erie the steamer "W. T. Robb" was retained
in commission and fitted up for service as a cruiser. In addition to
the Dunnville Naval Brigade, a detachment of the St. Catharines Garrison
Battery (under command of Lieut. James Wilson) was placed on board
with two guns, a 9-pounder and a 12-pound howitzer, and the necessary
complement of small arms. The wheel-house and cabins were cov