Then
ensued another long period of peace, broken at last by a naval action
in York Bay, on the 28th, in which the British were worsted and
obliged to fly, though none of their ships were destroyed or captured.
On Oct. 2, Chauncey accomplished a really important work, by capturing
five British transports, with two hundred and sixty-four men, seven
naval and ten army officers. With this achievement, the active work of
the Ontario squadron ended for the year, as Chauncey remained
blockading Yeo at Kingston, until the approach of winter rendered that
precaution no longer necessary.

The navigable season of 1814 opened with the British first upon the
lake. The long winter had been employed by the belligerents in adding
to their fleets; a work completed first by Yeo, who put out upon the
lake on the 3d of May, with eight square-rigged vessels, of which two
were new frigates. The Americans had given up their unseaworthy
schooners, and had a fleet of eight square-rigged vessels nearly
ready, but still lacking the cordage and guns for the three new craft.
Yeo thus had the lake to himself for a time, and began a vigorous
campaign by an attack upon Oswego, aided by a large body of British
troops. Succeeding in this enterprise, he set sail for Sackett's
Harbor, and, taking up his position just outside the bar, disposed his
vessels for a long and strict blockade. This action was particularly
troublesome to the Americans at that time; for their new frigates were
just ready for their guns and cables, which could not be brought
overland, and the arrival of which by water was seemingly prevented by
the blockade. It was in this emergency that the plan, already
described, for transporting the great cable for the "Niagara"
overland, on the backs of men, was decided upon. Yeo remained on guard
at the mouth of the harbor until the 6th of June, then raised the
blockade, and disappeared down the lake. For six weeks the Americans
continued working on their fleet, to get the ships ready for service.
During this time the British gunboat "Black Snake" was brought into
the harbor, a prize to Lieut. Gregory, who had captured it by a
sudden assault, with a score of sailors at his back. On the 1st of
July, the same officer made a sudden descent upon Presque Isle, where
he found a British vessel pierced for fourteen guns on the stocks,
ready for launching. The raiders hastily set fire to the ship, and
retreated before the enemy could get his forces to