As the English guns could carry farther than those of the Americans, Lieutenant Perry brought his flagship into close quarters. The other American vessels were some distance behind.
The whole British squadron then opened fire upon the Lawrence.
At the end of an hour of this unequal battle, the condition of the Lawrence was pitiable. One by one the guns had been disabled. Finally only one on the side toward the enemy could be used. The rigging was damaged, the spars were shattered, and the sails were torn into shreds. Eighty-three men had been killed or wounded.
Two musket balls passed through Lieutenant Perry's hat, and his clothing was torn by flying splinters.
One heavy shot crushed into the large china closet, and smashed every dish with a great clatter. A dog, that had been locked up there, startled by the noise, added to the tumult by howling dismally.
Several times the Lawrence barely escaped being blown up. Two cannon balls passed entirely through the powder magazine.
Even the wounded men crawled upon the deck to lend a feeble hand in firing the guns. It was Oliver Perry himself, however, that loaded and fired the last gun of the Lawrence.
Lieutenant Perry at last determined to change his flag from the Lawrence to the Niagara. A breeze had sprung up, which enabled this vessel to come near to the helpless Lawrence.
The first lieutenant was left in command of the Lawrence, with orders to hold out to the last. Then with his brother Alexander and four seamen, Lieutenant Perry got into a rowboat. Just as they were shoving off, a seaman on the Lawrence hauled down the blue flag, bearing the motto, "Don't give up the ship!" He rolled it up and tossed it to Perry.
The smoke of the battle was so dense that the rowboat had nearly reached the Niagara before it was seen by the English. Then a shot was sent which went straight through the boat's side.