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gunboat flotilla on Lake Borgne.
Cochrane moved promptly and vigorously. That same night of the 12th, some 1000 sailors and marines in 42 barges, each armed with a 12 to 24 pounder carronade, and three gigs shoved off headed for Jones? little squadron. Captain Lockyer, who had negotiated with Jean Lafitte, led the expedition.
At mid-morning on the 13th, Jones saw a large number of barges shaping their course toward Pass Christian. At first he thought it might be a troop landing, but, when the barges made the pass and continued on toward the west, he immediately recognized their purpose: The capture and destruction of his squadron. He ordered tiny Sea Horse, Sailing Master William Johnson, into Bay St. Louis ?to assist in the removal of the Public Stores which I had previously ordered; their finding a removal impracticable I ordered preparations to be made for their destruction, last they should fall into the Enemy?s hands.?
Jones knew his situation was desperate. The westerly wind that had prevailed for the past several days had lowered the water level in the lakes to the point that even in the best channel three of his gunboats drew 12 to 18 inches more water than existed.
However, by 3:30 that afternoon flood tide had commenced and the squadron got underway and edged toward the fort at Petites Coquilles. Shortly thereafter, three of the British barges diverted into Bay St. Louis to take Sea Horse,, but Sailing Master Johnson would not be captured without a struggle. Several rounds of grape shot from Sea Horse's single 6 pounder were enough to convince the Englishmen of that, and the barges retired
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