ieve that neither commander dared to enter the battle for which
both had been so long preparing. The American squadron consisted
largely of schooners armed with long guns. In smooth weather these
craft were valuable adjuncts to the larger vessels, while in rough
weather they were useless. Yeo's squadron was mostly square-rigged,
and was therefore equally serviceable in all kinds of weather. It
seems likely, therefore, that the Americans strove to bring on the
conflict in smooth weather; while the British were determined to wait
until a heavy sea should lessen the force of their foes. In this
dilemma several days passed away.

On the night of the 7th of August the wind came up to blow, and the
rising waves soon demonstrated the uselessness of schooners for
purposes of war. At early dawn a fierce gust of wind caused the
schooners "Hamilton" and "Scourge" to careen far to leeward. Their
heavy guns broke loose; then, crashing down to the submerged beams of
the schooners, pulled them still farther over; and, the water rushing
in at their hatches, they foundered, carrying with them to the bottom
all their officers, and all but sixteen of the men. This loss reduced
Chauncey's force to more of an equality with that of the British; yet
for two days longer the manoeuvring continued, without a shot being
fired. On the night of the 10th the two squadrons formed in order of
battle, and rapidly approached each other. At eleven o'clock a
cannonade was begun by both parties, and continued for about an hour;
though the shot did little material damage on either side. At midnight
the British, by a quick movement, cut out and captured two American
schooners, and sailed away, without suffering any damage.

A month then intervened before the next hostile meeting. In his
despatches to his superior authorities, each commander stoutly affirms
that he spent the time in chasing the enemy, who refused to give him
battle. Whether it was the British or the Americans that avoided the
battle, it is impossible to decide; but it seems reasonable to
believe, that, had either party been really determined upon bringing
matters to an issue, the other could have been forced into giving
battle.

On the 11th of September, the enemies met near the mouth of the
Genesee River, and exchanged broadsides. A few of the British vessels
were hulled, and, without more ado, hauled off into the shallow waters
of Ambert Bay, whither the Americans could not follow them.