The _Lawrence_ dropped anchor with her bow just resting on the sand-bar, and orders were given for the gunboat _Trippe_,[3] which was the smallest vessel in the fleet, to go ahead for the purpose of ascertaining the depth of water. When she grounded, not more than fifty yards from where the flag-ship lay, it seemed certain we would not be able to get a single craft out, and Alec Perry said despondently to me:-- “It seems as if we were fated to remain idle while the Britishers hold control of the lake. It were better my brother had remained at Newport, than to come here only to be balked of his purpose.” I could say nothing cheering, for the same thought was in my own mind; but Captain Perry and my father were not men who could be so quickly disheartened. An obstacle in their way only served to arouse them to greater effort, and one would have said that this apparent disaster had long been foreseen and provided for. The entire fleet had come to anchor when the gunboat grounded, and, as if by previous arrangement, every small boat near the shipyard and the shore round about put off to take part in the arduous labor which must be performed before our squadron could be gotten into deep water. Now came five days of excessive and exhaustive labor, during which time I do not believe Captain Perry was below more than two hours on a stretch, although Dr. Parsons had declared that he was dangerously ill, and then the work had been performed. It is not seemly that such a task should be passed over in few words, and yet my story has run so long already that what these brave men did must be described in the smallest possible space. The gunboat _Trippe_, in command of Lieutenant Smith, was the first craft over the bar, and the work of lightening had not been excessive. All which was taken from her could be cared for in small boats, therefore once she was in deep water her armament and stores were quickly on board again. The _Porcupine_, commanded by Midshipman Senat, and the _Ohio_, captained by my father, went over at about the same time, that is to say, during Sunday night. The _Scorpion_, with Sailing-Master Champlin in command, did not succeed in crossing until Monday noon, and it was late on that night before such goods as had been taken from her could be put on board again, since it became necessary to carry a goodly portion of them ashore. The _Tigress_, with Master’s Mate McDonald acting as captain, and the _Somers_, under Sailing-Master Almy, were gotten over before Tuesday noon. Then came the _Caledonia_, with Purser McGrath in command; and the _Ariel_, captained by Lieutenant Packet, crossing on the evening of the third day. There were left inside only the _Lawrence_, which Captain Perry himself commanded; and the _Niagara_, under Captain Elliott, to be carried over.