Commodore Perry Defeats British Squadron
on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813
Foreign nations, who still smiled incredulously at the pretensions of the United States in carrying on an ocean warfare with the proud “Mistress of the Seas,” as England was everywhere acknowledged to be, were not prepared to receive, in addition to the splendid victory of the United States frigate Constitution over the Guerriere, fresh and decisive proof of the naval supremacy of the youthful Republic, in the magnificent triumph achieved by Commodore Oliver H. Perry on the waters of Lake Erie September 10, 1813.
It was here for the first time in the history of the Western World the flag of a British squadron was struck, humiliatingly, to the Americans. Great Britain had already been signally defeated in single naval combats during the War of 1812; she was now beaten in squadron; every one of her ships striking their colors to the Stars and Stripes.
The unexpected and disgraceful surrender of the Northern Army under General Hull to the British rendered a superior force on Lake Erie necessary for the defense of the American territory bordering on the lake, as well as for offensive operations in Canada.
Under those circumstances, Oliver H. Perry, a brave and capable young officer, was designated to the command on Lake Erie. But at this time the United States possessed no naval force on the lake; the only vessels belonging to the Government had been captured at Detroit.
Commodore Perry was directed to locate at Presque Isle, where a peninsula extended a considerable distance into the lake, encircling a harbor, on the borders of which was the port of Erie. He was to build ships, and the only materials at hand were the vast forests—shipbuilders, sailors, naval stores, guns and ammunition were all transported overland by wagons over 400 miles of bad roads from Albany, Buffalo and Philadelphia via Pittsburgh.
In spite of those embarrassments, by August 1, 1813, Perry had provided a flotilla, consisting of the ships Lawrence and Niagara, of twenty guns each, and seven smaller vessels, to wit: One of four guns, one of three, two of two and three of one.
The enemy appeared off the harbor while this navy was being built, but the shallowness of the water prevented their approach where the construction work could be destroyed.