Spring 1814: Captain Sinclair Arrives to Sort Out the Erie Naval Station

The decisive American victory over the British at the Battle of Lake Erie was the end of large scale opposing naval operations on the upper Great Lakes. But the lakes continued to be an important area for troop movements, and the Americans were constantly worried that the British would try to regain control of the inland seas. In April, 1814, Captain Arthur Sinclair arrived in Erie, Pennsylvania to take command of the squadron and naval station there. He found the station in shambles, and several vessels sunk in Presque Isle Bay. Many of the smaller vessels of the fleet had been caught in a gale late in 1813 and were driven on shore near Buffalo. When the British launched a surprise attack along the Niagara River, they overran and burnt the town, the naval base at nearby Black Rock, and most of the beached vessels they could find. The Schooner Ariel, which was one of these vessels and had served Commodore Perry as a fast scouting vessel during the landings near Amherstburg, was said to be aground but not burnt. There is some mystery as to whether Sinclair was eventually able to repair and float her, because the ultimate fate of this vessel is unknown.

The Honorable William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, Washington City
Erie 2nd May 1814
Sir,
Yours of the 27th ult. Has this moment come to hand. I had anticipated that part of its contents which required the curtailing the indents made on the Navy agent at Pittsburg—I have however, difficulties to contend with, in order to inform myself of the state of the station, which you can form an idea of. It appears that since Mr. Hambleton left this there has been no responsible person, who’s duty it is to keep copies of requisitions, receipts, returns of expenditures &c. I am using every possible exertion, in my power to enable me to give you a correct and circumstantial account of what has been done, what requires doing, what is on hand and what required to complete the outfits of the intended expedition. You will easily see the difficulties existing, when I tell you that there is no account of the articles on hand of any description, and that they are scattered over a space of several miles. Shot are to be raked from below high water mark, covered in sand, materials of every unstored, private store houses, which have been rented, used for storing, have been so repeatedly broken into, that they are now nearly useless, therefore inventories of every article are taken before I can inform you with any degree of accuracy. From the view I have taken of things, I am very confident that system once established, there will be a saving of 25—to the public.
I shall endeavor in the course of this week to give you a general view of the station, and suggest such alteration as may appear necessary for the public good. The purchases are arriving here daily—no provision had been made for their reception, and I have been compelled, this against my inclination, to advance some from our stock, in order to get them boarded at all. There are no boats on the station, not a boat a piece for each vessel, of any description.
The small vessels are in some state of readiness, the Niagara is over the bar, but wants considerable repair, caulking entirely. The Lawrence shall pass the bar the first good weather, in the mean time her repairs are going on. The Lady Prevost, a vessel only 72 feet on deck and 10 feet beam was altering into a brig. The course masts only are prepared, I have stopped the alteration, not only on account of expense, but also she will not answer for the upper Lake, her draft is 2 feet more than our brigs. The Hunter is sunk with a quantity of powder and stores in her, much of which is damaged. The Amelia is in the same situation. I am now getting them on float, and saving what can be saved from them. The report is that they are rotten and unfit for service. A survey shall be held and a report made accordingly. The prize ships arrived last night. I have not yet visited them. Their safety &c shall be immediately attended to. They have considerable quantity of powder and ordnance stores on board, full sufficient, I fancy, with what we have on hand, to answer all our purposes.
I am much pleased at the prospect of some officers of experience being on their way here. None however have arrived yet; I would suggest that an old and experienced Purser be ordered to this station. One of that description would answer all purposes. Mr Harris, Mr Hambleton, or one of their standing. A Master Commandant also of considerable experience, and who has system about him, will be surely necessary during my absence. I trust, Sir, that in my duty I shall not make unfavorable impressions in regards Capt. Elliott. He is very young as a Commander, has had but little experience, surely none to justify the difficulties he has had to contend with here. They have been many and of magnitude.
I have not yet heard from Detroit, but as the same vessel which carried my orders for bringing the ships also took my dispatches for that place, I shall expect fair fresh wind.
The vessels which were on shore (except the Ariel) burnt. She, I am told, is a fine vessel, and lays four miles this side of Buffalo, uninjured. There is a considerable quantity of sea yet between this and her. I shall however send down immediately and request Genl Scott, who is in her neighborhood, to have her protected until I can make the necessary arrangements for getting her on float, which shall be in the shortest possible time.
I have the honor to remain
Sir, with high respect
Your Obd Servant
A. Sinclair