This boat was kept busy patrolling the Niagara River and the lower portion of Lake Erie, and her crew did excellent night and day service during the time she was so employed.
At Montreal the gunboat "Royal" was fitted out and despatched through the St.Lawrence Canals and River.

She was armed with an Armstrong 12-pounder and a brass howitzer forward, and a 12-pound Armstrong gun aft.

Her batteries around bows and stern were cased with iron for the protection of the men working the guns, and her wheel-house protected with sand-bags, making her secure against rifle fire.

The gun-boats "Hercules" and "Canada" were also put in commission at Montreal and thoroughly outfitted for service on the lakes and river.
To aid in the protection of Montreal harbor H.M.ship "Rosario" (Capt.
Versturme) was despatched from Quebec to that point.

She was a steam screw sloop of 673 tons and 150 horsepower, with an armament of eleven guns, and had a full complement of British sailors and marines.
At Hamilton and Port Stanley the Naval Brigades stationed at these points performed shore duty, and did it well.