in the trough of the heavy
seas, and she sprang a leak. The big gun threatened to break loose from
its lashings, and had to be thoroughly secured by cables. The round
shot, which had been built up in pyramids on the deck, got away from
their base-frames and were rolling in every direction, while the high
waves swept over the bulwarks, deluging the men with water. During the
whole of the night and part of the next day the men were kept constantly
at the pumps, and by dint of hard work succeeded in keeping the boat
afloat until the gale subsided and they entered calmer waters. The crew
were pretty well worn out with hunger and fatigue when they reached
the mouth of the Detroit River on the evening of the 6th of June. They
arrived at Windsor about 8 o'clock on the same night, weary, but none
the worse of their experience in a Lake Erie storm, which is said by old
sailors to be the worst that can rage on any sea.

As matters looked serious along the Detroit River and Upper Lakes,
it was decided to strengthen the naval force at Windsor by equipping
another boat for service. Therefore the staunch ferry steamer "Michigan"
was chartered and details of British tars from Her Majesty's Ship
"Aurora" were brought up from Quebec to form her crew, and also to
relieve the Toronto Naval Brigade from duty on the "Rescue," as Capt.
McMaster had received orders to transfer his command to the "Magnet"
and cruise the lakes. Both the "Michigan" and the "Rescue" were then
efficiently armed and equipped for the naval service required, and
went into commission under British officers and crews. Each boat had
an armament of two Armstrong ship guns (9 and 12-pounders), with full
supplies of ammunition, and were manned by one Lieutenant, one Second
Lieutenant, and midshipmen, doctors, carpenters, etc., with about 90
seamen, 22 marines and seven other officers, all armed with rifles,
cutlasses, revolvers and dirks. Lieut. Fairlie, R.N., and Lieut. Heron,
R.N. (both of the British man-of-war "Aurora"), were placed in command
of the "Rescue" and "Michigan," respectively.

On being relieved from duty on the "Rescue" by the British seamen,
Capt. McMaster and his men proceeded to Toronto to fit out the steamer
"Magnet" for lake service. They had just completed this arduous work
and were awaiting sailing instructions, when an order came that their
services were not needed for the present. In relieving them from further
service they were specially thanked