 On 29 May, a large detachment under the command of Captain Stephen Popham of "Niagara" and Captain Spilsbury departed the squadron in two gunboats and heavy ship's boats intent on capturing an American flotilla of bateaux.At Sandy Creek, the force was defeated by the Americans and Captains Popham and Spilsbury were captured and the majority of the crews of "Niagara" and "Montreal" either captured or killed.As a result, men from and HMS "Star were transferred to fill out their crews.