Though greatly superior on land, the British had now for a time to stay their pursuit; for the water highway essential to its continuance was controlled by the flotilla under the command of Benedict Arnold, forbidding further advance until it was subdued.  The presence of these vessels, which, though few, were as yet unopposed, gained for the Americans, in this hour of extremity, the important respite from June to October, 1776; and then the lateness of the season compelled the postponement of the invasion to the following year.  The toil with which this little force had been created, a few months before, was thus amply justified; for delay is ever to the advantage of the defence.  In this case it also gave time for a change of commanders on the part of the enemy, from Carleton to Burgoyne, which not improbably had a decisive effect upon the fortunes of the next campaign.

As soon as established at St. Johns, the British took steps to place a naval force upon the lake, an undertaking involving trouble and delay, notwithstanding their greatly superior resources in men and material.  Some thirty fighting vessels, suitable to the waters upon which they were to act, were required, and also four hundred bateaux for the transport of the troops.  These had either to be built upon the spot, despite the lack of all dockyard facilities, or else to be brought bodily from the St. Lawrence, by road, or through the rapids of the Richelieu, until the deep water at St. Johns was reached.  In this hardy, strenuous work, Pellew naturally was conspicuously active; and in its course he gained a particular professional accomplishment which afterwards stood him in good stead.  Several vessels were built upon the shores of the stream; among others, one of one hundred and eighty tons, the Inflexible, whose heavier timbers were brought overland to St. Johns.  The construction of these craft was superintended by a lieutenant—­afterwards Admiral Schank—­of scientific knowledge as a ship architect; and through close association with him Pellew’s instinctive appreciation of all things nautical received an intelligent guidance, which gave him a quick insight into the probable behavior of a ship from an examination of her build, and enabled him often to suggest a suitable remedy for dangerous faults.  During this period of equipment occurred a characteristic incident which has only recently become public through a descendant.[15] “On the day the Inflexible was launched, Pellew on the top of the sheers was trying to get in the mainmast.  The machinery not being of the best gave way, and down came mainmast, Pellew, and all, into the lake.  ‘Poor Pellew,’ exclaimed Schank, ‘he is gone at last!’ However, he speedily emerged and was the first man to mount the sheers again.  ‘Sir,’ Admiral Schank used to conclude, ’he was like a squirrel.’”