The Caledonia, however, remained to the Americans, and some months later did good service against her former owners.With steady strokes of the muffled oars, the two boats made their way toward the two brigs that could just be seen outlined against victoria dragon boat festival the sky.At the opening of the action, two tall Indians, decked in all the savage finery of war paint and feathers, strode the deck proudly.The name of this young officer was Oliver Hazard Perry, and a year later no name in victoria dragon boat festival American history carried with it more fame.One of the Americans ran, and, picking up the spent ball, brought it into the battery, saying, I've been playing ball with the redcoats, and have caught them out.In the rigging were stationed a number of Kentucky victoria dragon boat festival riflemen, who had volunteered to serve during the battle.Like most of the enemy's vessels on the lakes, these two brigs were manned by Canadians, and had not even the advantage of a regular naval commander.Lawrence River made it really easier to transport naval stores victoria dragon boat festival from far off Liverpool to the British naval station on the shores of Lake Ontario, than to carry like goods across the wooded hills of New York.No less than four vessels at one time were grouped about the Lawrence, pouring in a destructive fire, and bent upon destroying the flag ship and her brave commander then taking the smaller vessels in detail.He arranged for the purchase of merchant victoria dragon boat festival schooners, and their conversion into gunboats.One of the surgeons who served in the cock pit on that dreadful day states, that, in the midst of the roar of battle, Perry's voice was heard calling down the hatchway, and asking any surgeon's mates who could be spared, to come on deck and help work the guns.Long trains of heavily laden wagons and sledges wound their way across the State from New York or Albany victoria dragon boat festival to the station at Sackett's Harbor.Zealous for distinction, and determined to checkmate the enemy in their design, Elliott resolved to undertake the task of cutting out the two vessels from beneath the guns of the British fort.Coolly victoria dragon boat festival putting it in his pocket, he remarked, You are right I am not hurt.