Bicentennial Memorial For Battle of Lake Erie On 10 September, Americans commemorated the 20(Jh anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie. NMHS Trustee Robert Kamm participated in these important commemorative events as a representative ofthe Society.
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wo hundred years ago, on 10 September 1813, a naval battle erupted on Lake E rie that played a crucial role in determining the fares of the United US Brig Niagara States, Great Britain, Canada, and N ative Americans in the region. In the Barde of Lake Erie, Oliver H. Perry, commanding a fleet of nine Americanbuilt ships, defeated a British squadron of six ships. Perry's feat of transferring from his flagship, USS Lawrence, to the brig USS Niagara turned the tide of battle. He carried w ith him his battle fla g, emblazoned with the immortal words of his friend, Captain James Lawrence: "Don't Give Up the Ship." This year on the anniversary of the battle, more than 500 people gathered at Put-In Bay, Ohio, at the Perry Victory and International Peace Memorial (operated by the US National Park Service) to memorialize the courage of the sailors who fought in the battle. (Sixty-eight sailors were killed, and 188 were wounded on both sides .) Highlighting the event was a memorial cruise by the current US Brig Niagara, Captain Walter Rybka commanding, during which representatives of the US Navy and Coast Guard, the Royal Navy, Canadian Forces, and Native Americans lay wreaths on the water at the battle site. Following the cruise, the National Park Service organized a memorial service at the Perry Memorial Tower; more than fifty members of the Perry fami ly attended the service that was keynoted by Ohio's governor, John Kasich. Both the Niagara, the official flagship for the State of Pennsylvania, and the US Coast Guard 's cutter USCGC Biscayne Bay flew the blue and white "Don't Give Up the Ship" flag out to the battle site. They were joined by numerous other vessels, includ(l-r) Bob Kamm and Captain Walter Ry bka aboard ing S/V Denis Sullivan, a reprothe N iagara. Captain Rybka also serves as a member duction of a 19'h-century G reat of the Sea History Editorial Advisory Board. Lakes cargo schooner that serves as the flags hip for the State of Wiscon sin . It was a marvelous experience to be on Lake E rie on the bicentennial of the battle and to see the hardworking crew of the Niagara wo rk the ship so professionally, especially given the 93 ° heat. The Niagara runs sail training programs, and the crew of trainees on our sail included both yo ung and old salts. The next day, your intrepid reporter drove to Toledo, Ohio, and visited the Toledo Art M useum, which had a wonderful exhibition, Perry's Victory: The Battle of Lake Erie, on display until 10 November. The exhibition included Gi lbert Stuart's famo us portrait of Oliver H. Perry and Thomas Birch 's magnificent battle scene. Departing Toledo, I then drove to Erie, Pennsylvania, the Niagara's homeport and sire of the impressive Erie Maritime Museum, where NMHS will have its 2014 annual meeting. I encourage our members to make plans to attend the annual meeting, and to consider Oliver Hazard Perry by Gilbert Stuart extending their visit to include Put-In Bay and the Toledo Art Mu seum. A ll of them are (1755-1828). This portrait was Left unwell worth a visit. - Robert Kamm, NMHS Trustee finished at the time of Stuart's death and Visit the Erie Maritime Museum and the Brig Niagara at its homeport in Erie, PA: his daughter Jane finished the portrait by 150 East Front Street, Erie, PA 16507; Ph. 814 452-6760; www.flagshipniagara.org. painting in the sky, body, and uniform.
- Robert Kamm, Trustee, National Maritime Historical Society I
SEA lllSTORY 145, WINTER 2013-- 14
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