Existing comment:
Lake Ontario:
Commodore Isaac Chauncey took command of naval forces on Lakes Ontario and Erie and, coverting [sic] merchantmen to armed schooners, achieved control of Lake Ontario by November 1812. He established a Navy Yard at Sackets Harbor and commenced construction of larger warships. The British did likewise at Kingston and York and brought in contingents of the Royal Navy under Commodore Sir James Yeo. The balance of power swayed from side as each commanded attempted to outbuild the other and avoided a major confrontation. Despite the lack of a decisive battle, Commodore Chauncey kept Yeo's squadron at bay, twice raided the enemy shipyard at York, landed troops at Fort George, escorted army transports, and protected General Wilkinson's descent of the St. Lawrence River. Chauncey's vigilance prevented the British from taking advantage of the vulnerable New York state frontier. |