Shipbuilding on Lake Ontario Further Reading Shipbuilding on Lake Ontario The British on Lake Ontario   More On Naval Battles The Battle of Lake Erie The Battle of Plattsburg

The Americans on Lake Ontario “Both commanders suffered from a common naval malady, fearing defeat more than they desired victory.” James L. Mooney Chauncey is most reluctant to let any of his ships out of his sight. He tows his slower schooners behind his flag ship so they won’t be vulnerable to being picked off individually. Whenever he sights Yeo’s squadron, he appears to give chase willingly enough, though slowed down as he is by towing his schooners, there is little likelihood that he’ll catch him. On the few occasions when he does manage to corner his opponent, he always seems to have a ready excuse - shallow water, bad weather, slight damage to one of his ships - to sail away rather than attack. And Chauncey builds ships. So many, that Sackett's Harbour becomes the largest American naval station during the war of 1812, building more ships than any other naval yard in the country. Ironically, Chauncey’s own caution ensures that not one of his ships will ever take part in a naval battle. James Madison, American President