BRITISH DEFEATED AT BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE
Put-in-Bay, Ohio (JFK+50) On September 10, 1813, Captain Oliver Hazard Perry* led his American fleet to victory in a key naval battle of the War of 1812 .
At dawn, a lookout on Perry's flagship Lawrence spotted six British war ships northwest of Put-in-Bay. The Captain, with nine vessels, sailed forward toward the British fleet under Robert Heriot Barclay**. Richard F. Snow writes..."
"Just before the engagement, Captain Perry hoisted his battle flag...(a) large navy blue banner...emblazoned with the...words, 'Don't Give Up The Ship,' the last words of Captain James Lawrence who died on June 1, 1813."
At 12:15 p.m., Lawrence let loose with broadsides from its 32 pounders, but by 2:30 the American ship was a "floating wreck," having lost every gun on the side of engagement.
Not to be outdone, Captain Perry transferred his flag to Niagara and sailed back into battle. By this time, the British had considerable damage of its own ships and their commander was severely wounded. The British fleet was then commanded by junior officers who made some critical mistakes and soon found their ships under heavy cannon fire.
Just after 3 in the afternoon, the 4 largest British ships surrendered and the entire fleet was captured. Oliver Hazard Perry wrote out one of the most famous messages in American naval history...
"We have met the enemy and they are ours. 2 ships, 2 brigs, 1 schooner and 1 sloop. Yours with great respect and esteem, Oliver Hazard Perry."
*Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819) was born in Rhode Island, educated in Newport and joined the US Navy in 1799. He served in the quasi war with France, the 1st Barbary War & the War of 1812.
**Robert Heriot Barclay (1786-1837) was born in Scotland and joined the Royal Navy in 1798 at age 11. He lost his left arm while leading a boarding attack.
Oliver Hazard Perry
Battle of Lake Erie
by Edward Percy Moran
Library of Congress
Put-in-Bay, Ohio (JFK+50) On September 10, 1813, Captain Oliver Hazard Perry* led his American fleet to victory in a key naval battle of the War of 1812 .
At dawn, a lookout on Perry's flagship Lawrence spotted six British war ships northwest of Put-in-Bay. The Captain, with nine vessels, sailed forward toward the British fleet under Robert Heriot Barclay**. Richard F. Snow writes..."
"Just before the engagement, Captain Perry hoisted his battle flag...(a) large navy blue banner...emblazoned with the...words, 'Don't Give Up The Ship,' the last words of Captain James Lawrence who died on June 1, 1813."
At 12:15 p.m., Lawrence let loose with broadsides from its 32 pounders, but by 2:30 the American ship was a "floating wreck," having lost every gun on the side of engagement.
Not to be outdone, Captain Perry transferred his flag to Niagara and sailed back into battle. By this time, the British had considerable damage of its own ships and their commander was severely wounded. The British fleet was then commanded by junior officers who made some critical mistakes and soon found their ships under heavy cannon fire.
Just after 3 in the afternoon, the 4 largest British ships surrendered and the entire fleet was captured. Oliver Hazard Perry wrote out one of the most famous messages in American naval history...
"We have met the enemy and they are ours. 2 ships, 2 brigs, 1 schooner and 1 sloop. Yours with great respect and esteem, Oliver Hazard Perry."
*Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819) was born in Rhode Island, educated in Newport and joined the US Navy in 1799. He served in the quasi war with France, the 1st Barbary War & the War of 1812.
**Robert Heriot Barclay (1786-1837) was born in Scotland and joined the Royal Navy in 1798 at age 11. He lost his left arm while leading a boarding attack.
Oliver Hazard Perry
Battle of Lake Erie
by Edward Percy Moran
Library of Congress
