On 10 September 1813, the American fleet on Lake Erie attacked the British near the mouth of the Sandusky River. Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry led his fleet into battle aboard the Lawrence, flying a blue banner emblazoned with Captain James Lawrence's dying words " Don't Give Up the Ship ." For nearly two hours the British wrought havoc on the Americans and the Lawrence was virtually destroyed. Perry lowered one of the Lawrence' s boats with the remaining uninjured crew, rowed through fire f rom the British guns to the Niagara and ordered the blue flag run up her mast. Perry drove the brig directly into the British line. As she bore down on the Queen Charlotte and Detroit , the British ships collided and their decks were raked with broadsides from the Niagara's guns (see detail below) . After the battle, Perry sent his dispatch to his commander, General Harrison: ' 'We have met the enemy; and they are ours . Two ships, two Brigs, one Schooner, and one Sloop ." This victory also proved to be a turning point in the war, and Perry became a hero virtually overnight. (Oil on canvas, 36" x 84") Courtesy the American Yacht Club, Rye, NY .
SEA HISTORY , SPRING 1987
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