Perry's victory on Lake Erie

E 356
.E6E2

Vol. XI No. 7

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

DDDD5DE7fi5fl

i^V ^V "^^ ^^^^v-/ ^■

*

■^.

"v-^

V^

•^ ♦V

"0 -

•

. •^^., ,,^-* ,:^».

.'^ •" •- '^.-

O-T, ,/.

0.' '<■'

:^^ %

.0'

.3^^-,

.<y

•ft-- KV

" "^^
^'^

^^ *' >• .^^

.■?-'

'-^-

^ o

•Jt

. o ...

;^-'

* " " ^^

^•» - ' "

'^-^^

^O

-A

**"'-n.

"^t

o V

•r

-J. • . ► » , \.'

. %ii'J/^-

^ o " " ^

V- "-^^

^0-n

.^;>:

<*^

.^ •

*^

• A.

C>, .0'

'.■^^

^ "

V "n/.

?^^ '^^

*.6

"^^

>

'."^

r , 1 •

0 «

, ^J^.

■■: o
7,.

c .

^^^^

\1/ o

. « 0 * <0'

t • o.

V .<^

'^J> » ( 1

*j^ ^'^

r^^'

J « « . <J>

% ^^

.**

\'

^^-V^..

^,'^'^t,

(S"^'

.;V.'V^^,

VOL. XL No. 7.

PAPERS OF THE
MILITARY HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS.

PERRY^S VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE.

COMMANDER J. GILES EATON, U.S.N.

MAY
NINETEEN HUNDRED AND ONE

The BIilitaet Historical Society op Massa-
chusetts proposes to publish the papers which
have been read at its meetings in a series of
volumes under the following titles : —

Volume

1. CAMPAIGNS IN VIRGINIA, 1861-1862.

A new and enlarged edition of "The Peninsular
Campaign of General McClellan in 1862," published
by the Society in 1881.

2. THE VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN OF 1862, under General

Pope. A new edition of the volume published in 1886.

3. ANTIETAM TO GETTYSBURG.

4. THE CAMPAIGN IN VIRGINIA IN 1864.

The Wilderness to Cold Harbor.

5. PETERSBURG.

6. THE CAMPAIGN IN VIRGINIA IN 1864, 1865.

Cedar Creek to Appomattox.

7. CAMPAIGNS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE.

April, 1862, to November, 1863.

8. THE CAMPAIGN IN GEORGIA,

May to December, 1864.

9. OPERATIONS IN THE CAROLINAS, 1861-1863.

10. CRITICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE FED-
ERAL AND CONFEDERATE COMMANDERS.

Each volume will be sold separately. Price per vol-
ume (8vo.), .$2.00.

Published for the Society by

HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY,

Boston and New York.

BOSTON

MAH
MAL

Egyptian
Cigarettes

S. S. Pierce Co.

^@^ Made from the finest
selected Turkish tobacco,
being MILD with a rich
flavor.

Cor. Tremont and Beacon Sts., Boston
Copley Square, Boston
Coolidge's Corner, Brookline

o

D

IMPOIl^TED

r

A NATUB^AL
DNERAL WATEB^

r

Imported Direct from Germany by

A. A. HOUSMAN & CO., Sole Agents

167 Devonshire and 28 Arch Streets,
BOSTON

VERMILYE & COM'PyiNY

BANKERS

Dealers in United States 'Bonds and other
Investment Securities,

J^embers of J^eW York and "Boston Stock Exchanges.

Nassau and Pine Sts., 13 Congress Street,

NEW YORK. BOSTON.

Harvey Fisk & Sons

GOVERNMENT BONDS
RAILROAD BONDS
MUNICIPAL BONDS

C^SH COMMISSION ORDERS EXECUTED ON
NEW YORK AND BOSTON STOCK EXCHANGES

19 Congress St., Boston.

^ARRIAGILS

FRENCH a CO., L*t'd

Successors to

Wm. P. Sargent d Co

14 6 24 SUDBURY ST.

BOSTON

LESS THAN

Will provide an ordinary
sized family with OATNUTS for
breakfast. Nothing so delicious. Better
than beefsteak in nutritive value. Ask
your grocer for the new breakfast food —

OATNUTS

Sweet as a nut
For sale by all dealers. 2 lb. packages.

^ ^ ^
LIBERTY PURE FOOD CO.

BOSTON, MASS.

Xaweon, Hrnolb S. Co,

M<9

Bankers

4-

33 State Street, Boston.

/iBembers of JBoston anD IHew ^ox\{
Stocl^ jiEicbanges.

MATTHEW LUCE FRANCIS H. MANNING MATTHEW LUCE, Jr.

LUCE & MANNING

138 Federal Street,

BOSTON

PAINE, WEBBER & CO.

Bankers and Stock Brokers,

27 STATE STREET,

Buy and Sell Stocks for Cash or on Margin.

WILLIAM A. PAINE. Members of Boston and New York

CHARLES H. PAINE. Stock Exchanges.

LOWELL BLEACHERY AND

L

DYE WORKS

53 STATE STREET, BOSTON

AMOSKEAG

MANUFACTURING

COMPANY

64 Ames Building
Boston

TUCKER, ANTHONY & CO.

BANKERS AND BROKERS

50 STATE STREET

Members of Boston Stock Exchange

CONNECTED BY PRIVATE WIRE WITH

THOS. L MANSON, Jr. & CO.

96 BROADWAY, NEW YORK

Members of New York Stock Exchange

ALL CLASSES OF STOCKS, BONDS AND INVESTMENT
SECURITIES BOUGHT AND SOLD

T

H
E

F

A

I

R
B
A
N
K
S

THE BEST WORKMEN
THE FINEST MATERIALS

AND A THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF
THE BUSINESS, PRODUCE THE HIGH
GRADE ALWAYS FOUND IN OUR
MAKE. WE SHOULD BE PLEASED TO
HAVE YOU CALL AT OUR NEW
PLACE IF INTERESTED, OR SEND
FOR OUR ILLUSTRATED CATA-
LOGUE FREE ^ ^ ^ Ji ^ ^ ^

The A. C. FAIRBANKS CO.

786 Washington Street (opposite Hollis),
BOSTON, MASS.

Fine Mandolins^ Banjos and Guitars.

Elevator for our patrons.

R & A. H. BATCHELLER & CO.,

Shoe Manufacturers,
57 LINCOLN STREET, BOSTON.

J. A. & W. BIRD & CO.,

Drugs and Dye Stuffs,
34 INDL\ STREET, BOSTON.

B. R BROWN & CO.,

Blackings and Leather Dressings,
137 FULTON STREET, BOSTON.

CENTRAL OIL CO.,

J 94 WASHINGTON ST.,
BOSTON.

E. P. CRAMM & CO.

Bankers and Brokers
38 WATER STREET, BOSTON

GEORGE A. DILL

Real Estate
5 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON

HINKLEY BROS. & CO.

Ship Chandlers
60 COMMERCIAL ST., BOSTON

JOY, LANGDON & CO.

Dry Goods
99 CHAUNCY STREET, BOSTON

10

RHODES & RIPLEY CLOTHING CO.

72 LINCOLN STREET,
BOSTON.

J. N. SMITH,

Lumber,
53 STATE STREET, BOSTON,

TAFT & WA ITE,

Real Estate,
12 FRANKLIN STREET, BOSTON,

F. H. PRINCE & CO.,

Corner STATE and DEVONSHIRE STREETS,

BOSTON.

11

CURTIS & SANGER,

Stock and Note Brokers,
53 STATE STREET, BOSTON.

OTTO COKE

The Modern Fuel, for Steam and Domestic Purposes.

NEW ENGLAND GAS & COKE CO.

95 MILK STREET, BOSTON.

PERCY V. BALDWIN,

Insurance,
60 STATE STREET, BOSTON.

NEWHALL & STARRATT,

Real Estate,
50 STATE STREET, BOSTON.

12

AMORY BROWN & CO.

DRY GOODS COMMISSION MERCHANTS

48 FRANKLIN STREET
BOSTON

M. BOLLES & CO.

Bankers and Brokers
19 KILBY STREET, BOSTON

DeFORD & CO,

Bankers
35 BROAD STREET, BOSTON

PARKINSON & BURR

Bankers and Brokers

EXCHANGE BUILDING, 53 STATE STREET, BOSTON

NEW YORK OFFICE, 66 BROADWAY

Members of the Boston and New York Stock Exchanges

Private Wires to New York.

l;5

HE MASSACHUSETTS

NATIONAL BANK

EXCHANGE BUILDING
53 STATE STREET

BOSTON

THE

New England Trust Co,

85 DEVONSHIRE STREET
BOSTON, MASS.

Receives money or property IN TRUST or on DEPOSIT from Courts
of Law or Equity, Executors, Administrators, Assignees, Guardians,
Trustees, Corporations and Individuals.

Deposits subject to check may be made at any time, and interest
will be allowed on daily balances of Five Hundred Dollars and upwards.

SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO
ACCOUNTS \VITH LADIES.

14

Richards & Co.

Incorporated

<^

Metal Merchants

5?

IMPORTERS AND DEALERS IN TIN
PLATE, ROOFING TIN, SHEET IRON
AND SHEET ZINC. MANUFAC-
TURER'S AGENTS FOR AMERICAN
TIN PLATES. MANUFACTURERS
OF SOLDER AND BABBITT METAL.

60 UNION_STREET_ I D/^CnppVXT

47 FRIEND STREET \

WALWORTH MANUFACTURING CO.

Automatic Sprinklers for Extinguishing Fires
Steam Pumps, Boilers and Engines Steam and Water Gauges

128 TO 136 FEDERAL ST., BOSTON

WHITTIER MACHINE CO.

Elevators

Hydraulic, Electric, Steam, Belt.
53 STATE ST.. BOSTON.

15

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

BOSTON SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST CO.

8? MILK ST., COR. CONGRESS ST., BOSTON

SAFES TO RENT AND SECURITIES
AND VALUABLES STORED FOR
SAFE KEEPING IN FIRE PROOF
AND BURGLAR PROOF VAULTS

WILLIAM LINCOLN & SONS

Members Real Estate Exchange

Real Estate and Insurance Agents

Mortgages Negotiated, Brookline Real Estate Negotiated
27 STATE ST., BOSTON, MASS.

J. p. LIVERMORE

H. J. LIVERMORE

JOSEPH P. LIVERMORE

Expert and Patent Cases

Solicitors of Patents In all countries
40 WATER STREET, BOSTON, MASS.

irt

PERRY'S VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE.

v»

i^

COMMANDER J.-^ GILES EATON, U.S.N.

Head Februartj ^, 1S97.

* O J J J J
1 # > )
> * • fi n

i > > J )

• •> ° J ) ■) -J j -) ) ' . ■•

THE LIBRARY OF
CONGRESS,

Two Coni;* RtCEivtu

JUL. 13 1901

Copyright entr^

dLASS<a^XXc. Ns

COPY B.

COPYRIGHTED BY THE MILITARY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
OF MASSACHUSETTS.

^

L

o-

■ X^

1 <c c*^ti"'

PERRY'S VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE.

The influence of sea power on history is a theme per-
taininof rather to the statesman and historian than to the
technical officer, whose main delight in studies of engage-
ments is found in knowing how fields and fights were
won. The immediate results are of the first importance to
his mind, and, though neither blind nor indifferent to the
importance of consequences, his aim is always to achieve
the first, and trust to natural issues for the second.

In the profound discussion of the subject the general
public may confound the objects which it is sought to
attain with the particular steps which it is necessary to
take en route.

It may well be doubted whether naval commanders
four score years ago probed more deeply into the whys and
wherefores than was essential to the accomplishment of
the destruction of the enemy before them ; and we may
go even farther than this, and gravely question whether
the future commander will fight as efficiently if he allows
his imagination to view too vast a field, and so lose sight
of the task at hand.

The victory of Perry, on Lake Erie, carried in its train
wide consequences of territorial acquisition. I am hazard-
ing little in asserting that, had Barclay been victorious,
the whole northern boundary of the United States would
have been forced southward from the great waterway of
the Lakes. It is indeed probable that this dire contin-
gency had been debated in Washington, and that the
initial step in defense, the sending of Chauncey to Lake

Ontario, was the result of a matured plan to defend the
lake coasts by water. Possibly before the surrender of
General Hull it had been considered that Lake Erie was
sufficiently guarded by the land forces ; but, from the date
of his capitulation, the British forces gathering at Detroit
and Maiden were preparing for an invasion in force, using
the Lake as a basis of supplies. Urged by the imminence
of the danger the Government resolved to create a squad-
ron on Lake Erie, and enter vigorously upon a contest for
the supremacy of its shallow waters.

The blockade of the Atlantic seacoast, and the utter
inadequacy of the gunboats even to annoy the British
cruisers, left free for the fresh-water service trained
officers and well-drilled men ; and it was wholly due to
this disciplined nucleus that fleets were successfully
created and fought whilst the forest sap still seeped from
keels, carlins, and plank shears.

Oliver Hazard Perry, a lieutenant in the navy, of
thirteen years' naval service (being in 1813 twenty-
seven years of age), had first seen fighting in the West
Indies, and later in that excellent school off Tripoli.
Placed in command of a flotilla of gunboats at Newport,
R.L, his active spirit chafed at the enforced inaction ; and
soon after Chauncey had gone to Lake Ontario with eight
hundred and fifty sailors and marines Perry asked to be
transferred to service on the Lakes. To his great delight
the request was granted; and on February 17th he re-
ceived orders to select such officers and men as were
fitted for the service on the Lakes, and to report with
them to Commodore (then Captain) Chauncey at Sackett's
Harbor on Lake Ontario. The very day this order was
received Perry dispatched a detachment of fifty men
under an officer, and two days later a second party of the
same number, and again on the 21st a third party of the
same number, on the long and arduous journey through

almost untracked forests, in the dead of the northern
winter. Perry himself started on Washington's birthday,
and despite forced marches did not reach Sackett's Harbor
until the eighth of March, and, being detained there by a
threatened assault of the British, did not reach P2rie, then
called Presque Isle, till the end of March. Here he
found that the two brigs,. Lawrence and Niagara, were
already in course of construction, also three other vessels
of lesser tonnage and lighter build. So hurried were the
shipwrights that many a tree which waved its branches
in the sunrise breeze found itself chopped, hewn, squared,
and tree-nailed into the ship's hull before the evening sun
had set over the lake. Despite this rapid construction,
all the vessels appear to have been well built, and certainly
accomplished the object for which they were designed.

As Erie was subject to attack, and the British vessels
had complete control of the Lake, the shipwrights were
drilled for defense, and the complements intended for the
improvised fleet constituted a permanent garrison.

Stores, especially naval stores, were sadly lacking, and
Perry himself journeyed to Pittsburgh to hasten their
deliveiy. By hard work and good fortune Perry suc-
ceeded in bringing to Erie the brig Caledonia and the
schooners Tigress and Somers, which had been blockaded
below Buffalo by Canadian batteries. There were built
from the stump' the brig Lawrence of twenty guns ; the
Niagara, brig, of twenty guns ; the Ariel, schooner, of
four guns ; the Scorpion, schooner, of two guns ; and the
Porcupine, schooner, of one gun. These vessels were
constructed from the forests adjacent ; but all the appurte-
nances, batteries, sails and rigging, had to be brought
hundreds of miles over mere trails in the almost virgin
forests. The canvas and cordage came from Philadel-
phia, whilst the guns and projectiles were cast at Pitts-
burgh, already the seat of a growing iron industry.

It were idle to dwell upon the almost endless embarrass-
ments attending the creation of a fleet under such dis-
advantageous conditions. The wonder is that it was
equipped at all ; and that it was so well outfitted attests
the executive ability of Perry.

Early in July, the squadron, consisting of the brigs
Lawrence, Niagara, and Caledonia, the schooners Ariel,
Scorpion, Porcupine, Somers, and Tigress, and the sloop
Trippe, was ready for sea, but almost destitute of men ;
and despite urgent dispatches it was not until August
that Captain Chauncey, on Lake Ontario, forwarded a
detachment under Master Commandant Jesse D. Elliott,
which enabled Perry to fill his complement to a point of
fighting efficiency. Dragging the heavier craft across the
shallow bar of Erie harbor, the American squadron of
ten ships put to sea on August 12, and proceeded up the
Lake towards Sandusky. At this point Perry communi-
cated with General Harrison, and arranged for concerted
action between the land and water forces. It must be
recalled in this connection that General HulFs surrender
to Brock at Detroit had thrown the northern shore of the
Lake under control of the British forces, and Proctor,
with Tecumseh, was at Maiden, ready with five thousand
men to cross the frontier and devastate the Lake shores of
Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. After looking into
Maiden, and deliberating upon a boat attack, which was
fortunately abandoned. Perry withdrew to Put-in-Bay,
where we find him on September 9th, 1813, holding
another council of war, and deciding, unless the enemy
could be brought to battle in open water, to attack him
with boats at the anchorage at Maiden.

At sunrise on September 10th the British fleet was
descried by the mast-head lookout on the Lawrence, and
the signal to unmoor and chase was at once made.

At this time Master Commandant Perry's squadron con-

sisted of the brig Lawrence (flagship), Lieutenant J. John
Yarnall, mounting two long 12-pounders and eighteen
short 32-pounders ; the brig Niagara, Master Commandant
Jesse D. Elliott, two long 12-pounders, and eighteen
short 32-pounders ; the brig Caledonia, Lieutenant Daniel
Turner, two long 24-pounders and one short 32-pounder;
the schooner Ariel, Lieutenant Jolin H. Packett, four long
12-pounders; the schooner Tigress, Lieutenant Augustus
H. M. Conckling, one long 32-pounder ; the sloop Trippe,
Lieutenant Thomas Holdup Stevens, one long 32-pounder ;
the schooner Porcupine, Midshipman George Senate, one
long 32-pounder; the schooner Scorpion, Sailing-Master
Stephen Champlin, one long 32-pounder and one short 24-
pounder ; the schooner Somers, Sailing-Master Thomas C.
Almy, one long 24-pounder and one short 32-pounder; in
all, nine vessels, mounting 54 guns, with 1536 pounds of
metal ; and, deducting seven per cent for deficient weight
in American metal, we have 1428 pounds. These vessels
were manned by 490 men, only 125 of whom were from
the regular navy ; a fourth of them were raw recruits, and
a fourth were negroes; 116 were unfit for dutj' during
the action, as they were suffering from cholera morbus
and lake fever. Of the 137 men and boys of the Law-
rence's crew, only 103 were on board fit for duty on this
occasion.

The British squadron consisted of the ship Detroit
(flagship), mounting two long 24-pounders, one long 18-
pounder, six long 12-pounders, eight long 9-pounders, one
short 24-pounder and one short 18-pounder; the ship Queen
Charlotte, Captain Finnis, one long 12-pounder, two long
9-pounders, and fourteen short 24-pounders ; the schooner
Lady Prevost, Lieutenant Edward Wise Buchan, one long
9-pounder. two long 6-pounders, and ten short 12-pound,
ers; the brig Hunter, Lieutenant Bignell, four long 6-
pounders, two long 4-pt)unders, two long 2-pounders, and

8

two short 12-pounders; the sloop Little Belt, one long 12-
pounder and two long 6-pounders ; the schooner Chippewa,
Mr. Campbell, one long 9-pounder; in all, six vessels,
mounting 63 guns, with a total weight of metal 852
pounds. These vessels were manned by from 440 to 490
men and boys. James has neglected to give satisfactory
evidence of the number of men in the English squadron,
and as the British official reports are silent on this im-
portant detail we must rely on American official docu-
ments. 150 of these men were from the Royal Navy, 80
were Canadian sailors, and 240 of them were soldiers,
mostly regulars. Commander Robert Heriot Barclay, the
Commander of the British squadron, was " a man of no
ordinary fame." At this time he was in his thirty-seventh
year, and had fought under Nelson at Trafalgar, where he
was dangerously wounded, and in still another engagement
he had lost an arm. Lieutenant Buchan, of the Lady
Prevost, also had distinguished himself under Nelson.

COMPARATIVE FORCE.

American 54 giins 1428 pounds 490 crew.

British 63 guns 852 pounds 440 to 490 crew.

Of the men listed the Americans had fit for duty 416,
and the British probably a few less, but I do not regard
this as at all an essential point in the battle fought. Pro-
vided each side had a sufficient number to fight their
guns, the mere presence of more men could add little to
the efficiency of the ships. But when we consider the
weisfht of the broadsides we find that the Americans had
a decided superiority. Thus, the broadsides of the nine
American vessels weighed 896 pounds, whilst the weight
of broadside of the six British vessels was but 459 pounds.
The superiority of the Americans in long-range guns was
as 300 to 200. In tonnage the Americans were superior

9

also, only one vessel, the Detroit, equalling the Lawrence
and Niagara in displacement, although the Queen Char-
lotte, of 400 tons, was practically in the same class. Had
all the vessels of Perry's fleet engaged at the same time
the issue could not long have been in doubt; for the
American vessels had all the elements of superiority, and,
as we shall presently see, the capricious wind declared
itself an ally, and by a sudden shift gave Perry the
weather-CTaofe.

Before this occurred the American fleet had been beat-
ing to windward, and the only fear which possessed their
minds was that the enemy might fill away to the eastward
and stand down the Lake. A sudden shift of the wind to
the eastward would have precluded this manoeuvre, if it
had been contemplated, and Perry, with his vessels in
order of battle, was left with the weather-gage. At 11.45
A.M., Perry hoisted the signal for " close action," half dis-
tance (that is, 360 feet), line ahead. Commanders had
previously been cautioned to preserve the line ; but Perry
had further added, in the words of Nelson, " If you lay
your enemy close alongside you cannot be out of your
place. ' The importance of remembering this maxim will
be evident when we see how a too strict observance of
the letter and utter disregard of the spirit of the signal
nearly caused the loss of the battle.

It will be noted that the American fleet was bearino-
down on the enemy with a free wind, whilst Barclay, with
his light sails handed and topsails shivering, calmly awaited
their approach. Perry, hoisting his long motto flag in-
scribed with the words of the dying Lawrence — " Don't
give up the ship " — crowded ahead on his leading vessels
in the light and rather baffling airs, whilst the brig Cale-
donia, the next in line, a slow sailer in any breeze but
actually sluggish in light airs, fell farther and farther to
the rear and out of station. Elliott, in the Niagara, the

10

next in order, shortened sail, and finally luffed far to wind-
ward, to avoid over-running his immediate leader. Tlie
British fleet, in compact order, each vessel in supporting-
distance, covered less than one-third of the space of the
American fleet. A delay of ten minutes would have en-
abled Perry to correct this break in his formation, and bring
his rear vessels into close order. But, animated by the
fear that the foe might still endeavor to escape, he crowded
forward ; and at 11.50 the action was begun by the Detroit,
which discharged her long 24-pounder, whose shot crashed
into the Lawrence amidships. The Scorpion, which was
the nearest of the American fleet, responded, and at
11.55 the Lawi-ence herself opened fire with her long-
range guns. At 12, the Lawrence essayed her carron-
ades, but finding that these fell short soon ceased their fire.
At the same time the action became general, although all
the rear ships of the American fleet were practically out
of range, and only the long guns of the Caledonia and
Niagara were fired. As the long-range guns of the De-
troit, Hunter, and Queen Charlotte were centered on the
Lawrence she soon began to suffer seriously, and in order
to bring his carronades into play Perry made sail to close.
By 12.20 he had worked down to close quarters, and the
action was being furiously waged between the Lawrence
on one side, and the Detroit, Hunter, and Queen Charlotte
on the other. The relative weight of broadsides between
these contestants was: Lawrence, 300 pounds, and the
three British vessels, 400 pounds. The Scorpion and Ariel
were actively engaged, but could not divert the fierce fire
poured on the American flagship. The Caledonia had
gradually closed, but the Niagara was far to windward,
and practically out of action. As the Niagara was the
best manned and most efficient of the American vessels,
her discreditable inaction at this period gave the British
a preponderance in action \\'hich was soon to silence the

11

Lawrence and well nigh defeat a superior antagonist.
The fighting at the head of the line was then extraordi-
narily fierce and bloody. The four leading Britisii vessels
and the three leading American ships were fought in
the most determined and courageous manner. With the
schooners assisting, the weight of metal was about equal,
but the leading British vessels had a superiority in men.
The smaller vessels were suffering but little, as nearly all
the guns on both sides were aimed at the larger craft.
Thus, although the Lawrence was almost a wreck, the
Queen Charlotte was nearly disabled, and the Detroit was
fearfully cut up. But in losses of men the Lawrence had
suffered most of all. At this time, 12.25, of the 103 men
■who had srone into action on board the Lawrence, 83 were
actually dead or wounded, and her shallow cock-pit, situ-
ated above the water line, permitting the round shot to
pass through, afforded no shelter to the wounded, and
men upon the operating table were cut in two by the shot
of the enemy. The scene in the cock-pit at this time
must have been horrible. Crowded with wounded, suffer-
ing from every form of laceration, the deck a mass of
gore, with fragments of flesh scattered in all directions, the
wounded receiving new and mortal strokes from the round
shot passing through, the shock of the constant striking of
the broadsides on the battered hull, the fall of spars, the
splintering of the boats at the davits, were all heard through
the opened seams of the deck above, adown which streamed
rivulets of blood on the heads of those below.

On deck every brace and bowline had been shot awa}'-,
the bulwarks were shattered to pieces, and eveiy gun but
one in the ensfaofed or starboard side was disabled or dis-
mounted. Several times the Lawrence had barely escaped
blowing up, owing to shot piercing her magazine.

As the crew on deck fell, Perry frequently called
through the skylight to the surgeon's assistants for aid in

12

working the battery. Perry himself fired the Lawrence's
last gun, aided by the chaplain and purser, God and ]\Iani-
mon serving his purpose together.

Throughout all this most critical period Perry's calm
courage never deserted him ; and though his ship was a
wreck, his crew was a mass of dead and crippled human-
ity, his riggmg and sails were torn and shot to ribbons, one
mast was gone and the other wounded, the thought of
striking never appears to have occurred to him. An officer
of infinite resource, the flagship having served her purpose,
he resolved at once to transfer his flag to the still unin-
jured Niagara, and wrest a victory from the very jaws of
defeat. One boat, on tlie port quarter of the LawTence,
would still float, and this was manned by four of the crew
who could still pull an oar ; and taking with him the huge
motto flag, some fifty-seven feet long. Perry stepped from
the gory deck into the cutter alongside, and pulling clear
of the quarter steered his course direct for the Niagara.
Standing- erect in the stern sheets he was at once made
the target for the British gunners, and we have their own
testimony that whole broadsides of grape and canister were
sent point blank at this tiny craft. Oars were struck,
gunwales torn, and even the colors at the stern pierced,
but Perry passed uninjured on his way, though forced by
his crew to sit down and not expose himself to needless
peril.

By 2.45 he had gained the deck of the Niagara, and
sending her commander, Master- Commandant Elliott, to
hasten up the rear vessels. Perry hoisted again his own
flag and his long motto of " Don't give up the ship," and
putting the helm up and making sail in the now freshen-
ing breeze was soon rapidly bearing down on the English
flagship.

The Lawrence, crippled beyond lielp, with every gun
dismounted, with only fourteen unhurt in her complement,

13

slowly drifted through the British line, and finally, all
further resistance being impossible, she hauled down her
colors, and a mere wreck outwardly, a charnel house
inwardly, was swept to leeward, as the enemy could not
take possession.

As the Lawrence hauled down her colors, the British
hailed her surrender with cheers, and supposed the battle
won. We may imagine the feelings which burned in
Perry's breast as he heard these shouts, and saw his late
flagship blown helplessly away. As the Lawrence finally
got out of range and no enemy had boarded her, the colors
were again hoisted, though she took no further part in the
closing act of the battle.

Scarcely had the last British cheer died away, when the
rapid approach of the Niagara, followed by the Somers,
Porcupine, Tigress, and Trippe warned them that victory
still hung in the balance, and that they must be prepared
for the new attack. In order to bring a fresh broadside
to bear, the Detroit attempted to wear, but in so doing
was fouled by the Queen Charlotte, and both vessels were
locked together, head and stern. In this position. Perry,
in the Niagara, with the signal for close action flying, swept
ahead of the Queen Charlotte and astern of the Detroit^
and at pistol range raked both ships with his starboard
guns, whilst as he swept around, his port broadside raked
the Lady Prevost. Then, backing his topsails, he engaged
the Hunter. The effect of these raking broadsides, deliv-
ered at short range on the already crippled Brtish ship,
was absolutely decisive. The storm of grape, canister, and
solid shot tore its way through the crowded decks and cut
great lines through the living. The helpless position of
the Detroit and Queen Charlotte, the constant raking fire
of the American schooners which had now come into
action, the carrying away of all the masts of the Detroit
and the mizzenmast of the Queen Charlotte wrought irre-

14

trievable ruin. For the first time in the action the whole
American force was engaged, and from this moment the
battle was won. At 3 p.m., or just fifteen minutes from
the time that the Niagara bore up to come into action, the
Hunter, Lady Prevost, Detroit, and Queen Charlotte sur-
rendered. The Chippewa and the Little Belt, after a vain
effort to escape, were captured by the Scorpion and the
Ariel. Determined to receive the surrender of the British
on the quarter-deck of his own flagship, scarred and torn,
but worthy of all honor. Perry again took to his boat, and
repairing on board the Lawrence received the swords of
the Commanders, at once retui-ning them in token of his
appreciation of their gallant resistance.

The American loss was 27 killed and 96 wounded, —
a total of 123. Of these 22 killed and 61 wounded had
fallen on the Lawrence, or practically two-thirds of the
whole casualties on the American side. The British loss,
falling most heavily on the Detroit and Queen Charlotte,
was 41 killed and 94 wounded, — a total of 135. Over
half of these casualties took place in the last fifteen min-
utes of the engagement. The very large proportion of
casualties on both sides attests the severity of the fighting,
and courage of the contestants.

Both fleets fought bravely till the end came ; and if
the Americans have rejoiced somewhat unduly over this
famous victory, let us recall that it affords the only in-
stance in history of the surrender and capture of an entire
British fleet.

The consequences of the loss of the British fleet were
immediate and decisive. It gave to the Americans the
complete command of the upper lakes, insured the con-
quest of Upper Canada, and increased the confidence in
American resources.

The enemy at once evacuated Detroit and Michigan,
and shortly after Maiden was occupied by American

15

troops. Ill short, the territory lost by the land forces in
1812 was recaptured by the naval forces in 1813, as the
result of this battle.

It is an ungracious task to criticise a victor, but, if we
are to profit by a study of his methods, it is necessary and
useful. The chief fact which stands boldly in relief in
the victory won by Perry is the creation and formation
of a fleet with resources ludicrously inadequate. In this
young Perry showed not only great ability, but his posses-
sion, in a wonderful degree, of the zeal and perseverance,
which, looking steadfastly to an end in view, overcomes
every obstacle, and conquers by sheer persistence. The
operation of getting his fleet across the shallow bar of
Lake Erie was a brilliant achievement, executed in the
presence of a powerful foe. The manner in which the
American ships were fought shows clearly that the crews,
composed of motley material, — part sailors, part soldiers,
part backwoodsmen, now for the first time actually afloat,
— were well drilled in great guns ; and, apart from the
gross error of the Captain of the Niagara, the vessels
were well sailed and efficiently manoeuvered. The energy
and activity of Perry had infused confidence throughout
the men under him, and the desperate fight made by
the Lawrence proves conclusively that the calm courage
of the Commander-in-Chief influenced the whole crew.
Again, Perry's abandonment of his flagship, and rowing
in an open boat to the still uninjured vessels of his
squadron, gave clear intimation of the indomitable pluck
and resourceful activity which characterized his actions.
1 can find but three other instances in history in which the
flag officer shifted his colors during action, to wit : the
Duke of York, at the battle of Solebay ; the English
Admiral Sprague in the battle of the Texel, fought in 1673;
and Von Tromp, when he shifted from the Golden Lion to
the Comet. Perry was nearer his enemy than any of

16

the three mentioned, and probably at no time during the
action was he in such deadly peril as when, erect in the
stern sheets of his small cutter, he crossed the broadsides
of his foes and ran the gauntlet of their small-arm fire.

But neither at this time nor at any period of the battle
did his calnmess desert him. Bearing a seemingly charmed
life, he passed through all the vicissitudes of the action
as unmoved as though on parade.

Nevertheless, granting all that has been thus briefly
outlined, — granting his unquestioned courage, his officer-
like bearing, his coolness under the most trying condi-
tion, and his readiness to change his plan of action
when circumstances changed, and to all these admirable
qualities, adding the credit for the creation of his fleet
and the organization which reflected high honor upon
the flag-officer, — nevertheless, it remains to be said tha,t
Perry's fleet, as a fleet, was poorly handled in the action,
and no proper use was made of its material resources until
the last fifteen minutes of an action which lasted a full
three houi-s.

I have no intention of entering upon the once hotly
contested dispute as to the blameworthiness of Master-
Commandant Elliott, of the Niagara. A mere glance at
the diagrams will show what his ship should have done,
and did not do. Yet, granting this, it is fully evident
that Perry pressed into action with his fleet not at half
distance, and that, with the weather-gage and an absolute
command of the situation, he began the contest when he
knew that at most four of his nine ships could properly
ensraare. None knew better than Perrv that the Caledonia
was a slow sailer, and none knew better than he that she
was falling far astern and holding back the major part of
his fleet, when he fired his first gun. Although at this
time the breeze was light, a very short delay would have
sufficed him to get all his vessels in hand and concentrate

17

his fire upon the enemy. In despite of this, his eagerness
for battle led him into a tactical blunder in separating his
fleet into two squadrons, and engaging with the weakest
portion of his command. This error cost many lives on
board the Lawrence, and for a time jeopardized the success
of the action. Perry's failure to concentrate his force is
the salient feature which strikes at once at the prime
essential of success. However much blame may be visited
upon Elliott in the Niagara, it cannot be gainsaid that
the flag-officer, before committing his own ship to close
action, is bound by every rule of prudence to have his
fleet well in hand and his ships within supporting dis-
tance of each other. Perry's sudden dash for the enemy
was ill advised, and cost him dearly. The original plan,
that, whilst the Lawrence engaged the Detroit, the Niagara
should close mth the Queen Charlotte, was well devised.
But when the Queen Charlotte, which had exchanged
but a few long-range shots with the Niagara, saw that
she could assist the Detroit and Hunter in their conflict
with the Lawrence, she very wisely drew ahead, and the
Niagara, not following, was soon entirely out of action.
Had Elliott possessed the daring and energy of Perry
all would have been well, and it must not be forgotten
that a great part of the success won by Nelson was due
to the daring and skill of his captains, and on this Perry
could fairly count.

Again, upon a lake whose surface was as smooth as the
traditional mill-pond, the schooners of Perry's fleet could,
in the earlier part of the action, have rendered most excel-
lent service. It does appear that Perry's management of
those vessels with their long-range guns was faulty, and
that, favored by the weather-gage and a preponderance
of cruns, he should have made these craft important
factors in the first attack. The services they rendered in
the last fifteen minutes of the action, and the testimony of

18

the British officers to the destruction caused by their
terrible raking fire, show what capabilities they possessed.

Despite these defects in his battle plan, or it may be
because of them. Perry's victory was a more brilliant
exploit than had he regularly and methodically crushed
his foe by bringing all his vessels into action simulta-
neously. The final result was complete, as Perry well
reported, — " We have met the enemy and they are ours,
— two ships, one brig, two schooners and one sloop."
Independently of the glory to our flag, the battle insured
the recapture of Detroit, rout of the British armj% the
conquest of the whole peninsula of Upper Canada, and
the immediate tranquillity of the entire littoral from
Huron to Niagara.

The country rejoiced exceedingly in the glory of the
achievement, and honors of promotion and laudatory
addresses were given the victor.

The wonderful battle picture which hangs on the land-
ing of the Senate wing in the Capitol at Washington
depicts Perry erect and dauntless, as he leaves in his
small boat the battered wreck of the Lawrence. And the
guns of his fleet were used to announce, from Buffalo to
New York, the opening of the Erie Canal, conveying, by
their reverberations, the news, in one hour and twenty
minutes, from lake to tide-water.

The glory of his achievement will endure as the only
instance of the capture of an entire British fleet, upon
any waters, and the complete annihilation of the forces
of that great power upon the Upper Lakes.

This glory Perry earned by his work of preparation and
his indomitable courage ; and as long as our navy exists
his name will be honored and his praises sung, as evi-
dences that the American people, and they alone, have
successfully withstood the great naval power of the
Christian era.

Andrew F.Leatherbee

Lumber

376 Albany Street . . Boston

FINE FLOORING A SPECIALTY

IT

TJ Business Esta^blished 1817 v^

I JOHN H. PRAY I

I <a SONS CO.. I

AQ Wholesakle a-nd Reta>.il Dea.lers in V^

^ CoLrpets and Rvigs *

|AQ of both Foreign and Domestic Marvufactvjre ; also lA

^ Portieres ^

AQ arvd all descriptions of choice V^

^ Upholstery F©Lbrics. W

^kO SV^Prices a.IwaLys moderaLte.'^liS 1^

^ JOHN H. PRAY ja SONS CO., }^

^'^ Oldest and Largest Carpet Hoaje tn JVetv England. 0^

•fl PRAY BUILDING. Opposite Boylston St., 01^

4S 658 ^« WASHINGTON ST.. BOSTON ^ 658 ^

18

THE

Merchants National Bank

28 STATE STREET

Organized as a State Bank 1831
Organized as a National Bank 1864

Old Colony Trust Company

AMES BUILDING

Issues Travelers' Letters of Credit for use abroad and in this country.

Special attention is given to accounts with ladies, for whom a special

writing room is furnished.

19

^

1

The National Shawmut Bank

OF BOSTON

60 Congress Street, Cor. Water

Accounts of Banks, Bankers, Trustees, and Individuals Solicited

m

'20

Chartered 1850 National Bank, 1864

Si National Bank of Commerce

OF BOSTON

Sear5 Building

Cor. of Court and Washington 5ts., Boston

N. P. HALLOWELL, President
GEORGE W. HARRIS, Cashier W. R. WHITTEMORE, Asst. Cashier

Chase <& Barstow

STOCKBROKERS

25 AMES BUILDING
BOSTON

21

OHN HANCOCK

MUTUAL
LIFE

INSURANCE CO.

OF BOSTON

A STRONG, CONSERVATIVE
COMPANY, OPERATING UNDER
MASSACHUSETTS LAWS

WILLIAM READ & SONS

FINE GUNS, RIFLES, REVOLVERS, FISHING TACKLE,
BICYCLES AND SAFETIES

107 WASHINGTON STREET .... BOSTON

F. M. TUCKER & CO.

Bankers & Brokers

Members Boston Stock Exchange

60 STATE ST.

|ffimmmzmzszmffi2Sfflms2mffi2m2saffi^

LOWELL MACHINE SHOP

LOWELL, MASS.

AND

28 STATE STREET, BOSTON

PARKER, WILDER & CO.

DRY GOODS COMMISSION MERCHANTS

4 WINTHROP SQUARE

BOSTON

W. GIBBONS PRESTON

ARCHITECT

186 DEVONSHIRE STREET
BOSTON

23

HANSON & PARKER, LTD.

COHL

125 MILK STREET, BOSTON.

A. C LOMBARD'S SONS,

Storage Commission Merchants and S.S. Agents,
156 STATE STREET, BOSTON.

SAMUEL D. PARKER,

Real Estate,
50 STATE STREET, BOSTON,

21

PAIN'S MANHATTAN BEACH
AND WORLD'S FAIR

SOME^FTHE

PRrNCIPAL FI^E-WORKS DfSPUYb ^^^ ^^'^ prepared to furnish displays
Maihi(attan Beach ^^^ "^^" *-° ^^^ them, if desired, at the

TO OATE shortest possible notice.

yioRu/s/FAA^. Chicago. 1893

Public, $100 and upward.

Private, $25 to $100.

cmc

RKS.

Dewey Celebration

NEW YORK 1699

Inauguration of three Presjdekts.

AT WASHINGTON.

C.A-R. Encampments.

IN IS CITIES.

CONTRACTORS AT

lO EXPOSITIONS INCLUDING

PARIS I90O.

Some of the principal displays we have
given in New England recently are :

Bar Harbor, Boston, New Haven, New-
London, Springfield, Worcester, Provi-
dence, Lynn, Salem, Manchester, Law-
rence, Lowell, Beverly, Charlestown,
Cambridge, Mass., and at Houlton and
Greenville, Me., etc.

At all the Old Home Week Cele-
brations, Concord, N.H., 1S99 and
1890; Portland, Bath and Brunswick,
Me., in 1S90.

At all City Anniversaries of 1900, —
Lynn, Clinton and Concord, Mass.,
Portsmouth and Bethlehem, N.H.

Elks and Crescent Beach Carnivals,
1900. Bangor State Fair, 1S99 and
1900. Lewiston State Fair in 1900.

Nightly displays at Combination and
Charles River Parks.

THE PAIN MANUFACTURING CO.

W. A. L UCE^ Manager New England Branch
Office: 64 SUDBURY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.

Retail Store : iio State Street, Boston, Mass.

NEW YORK CHICAGO LONDON LIVERPOOL PARIS

25

Ip)ur6ip*0

TELEPHONE
OXFORD 576

High Grade

Photographs and
Portraits

Porcelain and Ivory Miniatures, Crayons, Pastels and Sepias.

All Orders Promptly Executed.

148 TREMONT STREET,
BOSTON.

ESTABLISHED 1872.

William J. McGraw Sc Co.

Rubber and Metal Stamps,

FACSIMILES, NOTARY SEALS,
NUMBERING MACHINES, INKS,
RIBBONS, AND REPAIRING OF
ALL KINDS ^ Jt jIt jt jt j)t ^

20 St. Rose St., Jamaica Plain, Mass.

Will call upon receipt of postal.

26

HOMER GOODWIN JOS. J. THORNDIKE

GOODWIN & THORNDIKE

Bankers and Brokers

MEMBERS OF BOSTON STOCK EXCHANGE

No. 622 Exchange Building, BOSTON, MASS.

Edward H. Rl dredge £^ Co.

SUCCESSORS TO

JAMES T. ELDREDGE & CO.
(1S58)

Real Estate & Mortgages

(members of real estate exchange)

Devonshire Buildings 16 State Street^

(Rooms 30-33)

BOSTON

EDWARD H. ELDREDGE RUSSELL G. FESSENDEN

Telephone 2183

2

^ ^ s,

Iff

ff

F. Hovey & Co.

Importers and Retailers of
Dry Goods. Full lines of
Gentlemen's Furnishing
Goods. Fine Custom
Made Shirts a Specialty

NUMBERS 33 SUMMER STREET
AND 42 AVON STREET
BOSTON, MASS.

^^<^f^g^<^S

STEPHEN M. WELD & CO.

Cotton Buyers

nSKE BUILDING, 89 STATE STREET

BOSTON

29

ESTABLISHED 1871

PRACTICAL CUTLER

MARTIN OBERHAUSER

IMPORTER AND DEALER IN

o

m

CoDtler

9 Water Street and 12 Spring Lane
BOSTON

Repairing of All Kinds a Specialty.

<«»AO^

GEO. P. IDE & CO.

24 Kingfston Street
BOSTON, MASS.

C. S. BURGESS, Manager.

rrrrrrrrr

30

Richardson, Hill & Co.

Members New York and Boston Stock
Exchanges.

BANKERS
BROKERS

AND

Stocks and Bonds Bought and Sold in all Mar-
kets. Commercial Paper Negotiated. Deposits
Received and Interest Allowed.

40 Water St., Boston, Mass.

31

Wm. a. Tower Edw. L. Giddings W. Lawrenxe Underwood

Tower, Giddings & Co.

Bankers and Brokers

DEALERS IN

UNITED STATES AND
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES

105 Devonshire Street Members New York and Boston

Boston, Mass. Stock Exchanges

r

Drink Only the Purest

FINE OLD

Ky. Taylor

WHISKB Y

If you want purity and richness of flavor, try our OLD KEN-
TUCKY TAYLOR, eight years old and our own distillation and
guaranteed pure. Bottled and shipped direct from our ware-
houses. Sold by all first-class druggists, grocers and liquor dealers.

J?. //. HIRSHFIELD, N.E. Agent

31 DOANE STREET, BOSTON

22 14

o

<>" ^'j^,m^:. ^ J^ r^^<^ -V ^

• a 0

• ( >

kV . *>

^ <!y ^"^'

^

r,-^'^

. .,«

t'^'

'"^ ^^^^V^* '^ -^

- <^

.'■" f

p-

V « u

.^"^ ,'r '^

.y

-4 0..

^"^

A

'i>' V

■ft '-^0^

\<\

V

j^

.^:

-S

•J,"

%"•: '"^ f

4* .iV',"**

O. *• . , 0 ' ^0

%

4. ^**ir-

.-0'

^y^

^^/

^^ ' » « "

.0

V

0^ r\

\V

-•^'

o.

o y