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On September 10, 1813, the American navy under command of Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British at the Battle of Lake Erie. This victory was an important part of the War of 1812 because it allowed America to gain control of Lake Erie, preventing the British from penetrating the middle of the United States.
What did Oliver Hazard Perry do at the Battle of Erie?
Oliver Hazard Perry. During the war against Britain, Perry supervised the building of a fleet at Erie, Pennsylvania. He earned the title "Hero of Lake Erie " for leading American forces in a decisive naval victory at the Battle of Lake Erie, receiving a Congressional Gold Medal and the Thanks of Congress.
When did Oliver Hazard Perry die?
Last Updated: Aug 19, 2019 See Article History. Oliver Hazard Perry, (born Aug. 20, 1785, South Kingston, R.I., U.S.—died Aug. 23, 1819, at sea), U.S. naval officer who became a national hero when he defeated a British squadron in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.
What is Oliver Perry best known for?
Oliver Hazard Perry, (born Aug. 20, 1785, South Kingston, R.I., U.S.—died Aug. 23, 1819, at sea) U.S. naval officer who became a national hero when he defeated a British squadron in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.
Who was Commodore Perry in the war on the lakes?
Lyman, Olin H. (1905) Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and the War on the Lakes. Mackenzie, Alexander Slidell 1803–1848. (1915) Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry: famous American naval hero, victor of the battle of Lake Erie, his life and achievements (Akron, Ohio: Superior Printing Co.) at Internet Archive.
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Why was Perry's victory important?
Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry's victory over the British fleet on Lake Erie—an inland naval battle—enabled Harrison's U.S. forces to invade Upper Canada and to defeat the allied forces of Great Britain and the Indian confederacy led by Tecumseh.
What did Oliver Hazard Perry write about the victory?
“We have met the enemy and they are ours.” So wrote the 27-year-old Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry to Major General William Henry Harrison after defeating the British in one of the most significant naval clashes in American history at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Why was Perry's victory on Lake Erie important?
The victory made Oliver Hazard Perry a national hero and secured Lake Erie under American control. It gave the Americans a morale boost which was necessary following the previous string of defeats that the US had suffered.
Where was Oliver Hazard Perry's famous victory?
the Battle of Lake ErieCommodore Oliver Hazard Perry was a native son of Rhode Island, American naval officer, and hero of the War of 1812, most well known for his victory over the British Royal Navy in the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813.
What was the turning point for victory of the War of 1812?
Key points Admiral Perry's victory in the Battle of Lake Erie was a turning point in the War of 1812 and the development of the American empire. The American forces defeated the powerful British navy, demonstrating the growing international strength of the United States.
Why was the War of 1812 a turning point?
Perhaps most importantly, the war's outcome boosted national self-confidence and encouraged the growing spirit of American expansionism that would shape the better part of the 19th century.
What did Oliver Hazard Perry do in the Battle of Lake Erie?
In the first unqualified defeat of a British naval squadron in history, U.S. Captain Oliver Hazard Perry leads a fleet of nine American ships to victory over a squadron of six British warships at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
What is Perry's victory on the quarter?
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial Quarter The memorial bears the name of Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry. Six naval officers (three American and three British) slain during the battle are buried under its rotunda. It was first established as a national site on March 3, 1919 (40 Stat. 1322).
What was the reason for the Battle of Lake Erie?
Reasons for American Victory on Lake Erie The reasons for the American victory were determined at Barclay's court martial as a lack of resources - both equipment and personnel - as well as the superiority of the American squadron and the unfortunate early fall of the British higher-ranking officers in the action.
Who said never give up the ship?
Captain James LawrenceAs the mortally wounded Captain James Lawrence of the US frigate Chesapeake lay dying in his cabin, his crew locked in hand-to-hand combat on the quarterdeck above, he is alleged to have uttered the memorable words: “Don't give up the ship!”
Who Won the War of 1812?
BritainBritain effectively won the War of 1812 by successfully defending its North American colonies. But for the British, the war with America had been a mere sideshow compared to its life-or-death struggle with Napoleon in Europe.
Why did Oliver Perry say we have met the enemy and they are ours?
We have met the enemy and they are ours, part of a message from American naval officer Oliver Hazard Perry in 1813 after defeating and capturing Royal Navy ships in the Battle of Lake Erie. We have met the enemy and he is us, Pogo creator Walt Kelly's 20th century parody of Perry's quote.
What was Commodore Oliver H Perry's famous quote at the Battle of Lake Erie?
Hero of Lake Erie On September 10, 1813, Perry's command fought a successful fleet action against a squadron of the Royal Navy in the Battle of Lake Erie. It was at the outset of this battle that Perry famously said, "If a victory is to be gained, I will gain it." Initially, the exchange of gunfire favored the British.
How did Oliver Perry win the Battle of Lake Erie?
When Perry's flagship, the Lawrence, was disabled, he transferred to the Niagara and won the battle within the next 15 minutes by sailing directly into the British line, firing broadside.
What were the results of General Harrison's victory at the Battle of Thames?
In the fighting at the Battle of the Thames Harrison's army suffered 10-27 killed, and 17-57 wounded. British losses totaled 12-18 killed, 22-35 wounded, and 566-579 captured, while their Native American allies lost 16-33 killed.
How did America win the Battle of Lake Erie?
Nine vessels of the United States Navy defeated and captured six vessels of the British Royal Navy. This ensured American control of the lake for the rest of the war, which in turn allowed the Americans to recover Detroit and win the Battle of the Thames to break the Indian confederation of Tecumseh.
What war did Oliver Hazard Perry fight in?
Navy on April 7, 1799. Over the next six years he participated in the Quasi-War with France and the Tripolitan War against the Barbary pirates.
What ships did Perry serve on?
During that period Perry served on such famous ships as the Adams, Constellation, Nautilus, Essex, and Constitution, but he was not involved in any of the memorable engagements of those little known wars.
When did Perry leave the Revenge?
Perry's unhappy tenure on the Revenge abruptly ended on January 8, 1811.
Who was the leader of the Lake Erie fleet?
Oliver Hazard Perry. The man who was to lead the Lake Erie fleet to victory during the War of 1812 was born on August 23, 1785 at South Kingstown, near the village of Wakefield, Rhode Island. The eldest of five sons and three daughters born to Christopher Raymond and Sarah Alexander Perry, the first son was named after his paternal grandmother's ...
Who was the commander of the Revenge?
Initially everything progressed well. During the summer and winter of 1809 the Revenge patrolled northern waters as part of a squadron under Commodore John Rodgers.
Who was Oliver Perry?
Oliver Hazard Perry, (born August 23, 1785, South Kingston, Rhode Island, U.S.—died August 23, 1819, at sea), U.S. naval officer who became a national hero when he defeated a British squadron in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.
What was Perry's role in Lake Erie?
Perry’s successful action at Lake Erie helped ensure U.S. control of the Northwest; it also raised him to a position of national eminence and earned him promotion to the rank of captain.
Where did Perry serve?
Appointed a midshipman at 14, Perry served in both the West Indies and the Mediterranean until February 1813, when he was sent to Erie, Pennsylvania, to complete the building of a U.S. squadron to challenge British control of the Great Lakes.
Who painted the Battle of Lake Erie?
Battle of Lake Erie. Battle of Lake Erie, depicting Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry transferring to the U.S. brig Niagara, painting by William H. Powell, 1865; in the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Where is Oliver Hazard Perry?
Oliver Hazard Perry (bronze copy after William Walcutt), on the south front of the Rhode Island State House, Providence, Rhode Island, dedicated in 1928. Perry Monument, Perrysburg, Ohio, dedicated in 1997, features a bronze copy after William Walcutt's 1860 statue.
What did Perry do during the Battle of Lake Erie?
During the war against Britain, Perry supervised the building of a fleet at Erie, Pennsylvania. He earned the title "Hero of Lake Erie " for leading American forces in a decisive naval victory at the Battle of Lake Erie, receiving a Congressional Gold Medal and the Thanks of Congress.
How many battles did Perry participate in?
In fact, Perry was involved in nine battles that led to and followed the Battle of Lake Erie, and they all had a seminal impact. "What is often overlooked when studying Perry is how his physical participation and brilliant strategic leadership influenced the outcomes of all nine Lake Erie military campaign victories:
Why did Perry offer to go to South America?
Wishing to avoid a scandal between two decorated naval heroes, Secretary of the Navy Smith Thompson and President James Monroe suppressed the matter by offering Perry a diplomatic mission to South America in exchange for dropping his charges. This put an official end to the controversy, though it would continue to be debated for another quarter century.
What book did Perry win on Lake Erie?
A caricature of Perry's victory on Lake Erie from the 1906 book "Men of Toledo (and Their Neighbors)". On September 10, 1813, Perry's command fought a successful fleet action against a squadron of the Royal Navy in the Battle of Lake Erie.
How long did the Lawrence fire?
The Lawrence alone rec'd the fire of the whole British squadron 2 1/2 hours within pistol shot—we were not supported as we ought to have been. Captain Perry led the Lawrence into action & sustained the most destructive fire with the most gallant spirit perhaps that was ever witnessed under similar circumstances.
Where did Oliver Perry buy his house?
In 1818 Perry purchased a large house on Washington Square in Newport which was built in 1750 for merchant Peter Buloid. The house remained in the Perry family until 1865 and now serves as an antique bookstore. Oliver Hazard Perry Issue of 1894. Other stamps depicting Perry.
What was the significance of the Harrison Perry campaign?
The Harrison-Perry campaign clearly relieved citizens of the state of Ohio and the territories of Indiana and Illinois of British-Indian attack and forced several tribes in the area to sue for peace. On the other hand, the Americans were unable to recapture Fort Michilimackinac in 1814 and consequently the British and their Indian allies had control of the Upper Peninsula and present-day Wisconsin. 7 Had peace been settled on the basis of uti possidetis —land in control in 1814—a sizable portion of the modern United States would have fallen into British hands, and America would have been left in control of the Detroit Strait. Historians engage in considerable hyperbole when claiming Perry saved the whole of the Old Northwest.
What were the advantages of Perry's ships?
Perry’s nine vessels had a 2-to-1 advantage in weight of metal when compared to that of Barclay’s six-ship squadron. Although Barclay’s HMS Detroit was larger than either of Perry’s two brigs, the Detroit carried a varied armament of cannon taken off the ramparts of Fort Malden that were inferior in firepower to either of Perry’s twin brigs, the Lawrence or Niagara. If Perry could bring the Lawrence ’s short-ranged carronades into action against the Detroit, he should be able to overcome her. However, this meant that Perry’s other vessels, especially the Niagara, had to engage their designated foes and not allow the British to destroy the two American brigs by concentrating fire of several ships on one of them and subsequently attacking the other.
Why was Lake Erie important?
First was timing: The Lake Erie triumph occurred during a period of significant defeats for American ground forces, and Perry’s victory raised the national morale in the midst of the disgrace of the surrender of Detroit and the failures on the Niagara frontier. The Lake Erie victory seemed to be a turning point in the war and certainly encouraged many of Perry’s fellow citizens to continue the fight.
Why is Macdonough's accomplishment so lost to most students of American history?
The Lake Champlain battle comes almost simultaneous with the British burning of Washington, the repulse of the British combined-arms assault on Baltimore, and the successful defense of Fort Erie. Too much was happening at the same time, and Macdonough’s achievement is lost in the good and bad news from various fronts. A second reason involves drama—or rather the lack of it. Certainly Macdonough achieved a naval victory the equivalent of or greater than Perry’s triumph, but he did not dramatically transfer his flag from one vessel to another, and he did not coin a pithy phrase that was easily memorized by generations to follow. The movement from the Lawrence to the Niagara is easily illustrated, while the winding of a vessel 180 degrees is both hard to explain and most difficult to represent visually.
What did Perry order his captains to do?
Perry issued two orders to his captains: “pay attention to preserving their stations in line” and “engage your designated adversary, in close action.” He concluded at least one of his commanders’ conferences with a paraphrase of Lord Nelson: “If you lay the enemy close alongside you can’t be out of place.” As he expected Barclay to place the Detroit in the center of his line, Perry ordered the Niagara in the van in opposition to the expected place for the Queen Charlotte .
Why did Barclay want the weather gage?
Perry also desired the weather gage, since to have it would allow him to close the distance between the two squadrons and fully employ his carronades.
What was the significance of the Battle of Lake Erie?
. ranks as one of the decisive battles of American history when one considers the results. By gaining control of Lake Erie, and with it the waterways between Upper Canada and Michigan, it transferred the initiative to the Americans. The British found their position in Michigan and Ohio untenable; they were forced to withdraw, and the Northwest was preserved for the United States. William Henry Harrison was now able to invade Canada . . . [and] at the Battle of the Thames . . . broke the fighting power of the British west of Niagara River.
Where was Oliver Hazard Perry born?
Born into an accomplished naval family in South Kingston, Rhode Island on August 23, 1785, Oliver Hazard Perry’s life would be dominated by maritime pursuits. Perry’s father, Christopher Raymond Perry, served as a privateer during the American Revolution and as a captain in the U.S. Navy during the Quasi War with France. Matthew Perry, his brother, played a crucial role in sailing to Japan and opening it to trade with the West. Perry, himself, spent his youth sailing with his father and became a midshipman at the early age of 13.
What wars did Perry serve in?
He subsequently participated in the Quasi War, the Barbary Wars, and the War of 1812, in which he earned renown for his naval victories in the Great Lakes region.
What was the name of the battle that Perry was at?
On September 10, 1813, Perry solidified his reputation as a brilliant naval commander and American hero at the Battle of Lake Erie, also known as the Battle of Put-in-Bay. In the early morning hours of the 10th, Perry caught sight of a squadron of British Royal Navy vessels off of Lake Erie’s Rattlesnake Island.
What ship did Perry attack?
Edged on by a favorable wind, Perry, stationed on the flagship Lawrence, attacked the British line head on. The British ship Detroit crippled the flagship, forcing Perry to transfer his men to the Niagara.
Who was the hero of Lake Erie?
After the battle, Perry dispatched a letter to William Henry Harrison, saying, “We have met the enemy and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop.”. For securing one of the most important triumphs of the war, Perry became known as the “Hero of Lake Erie.”.
Who was Matthew Perry's brother?
Matthew Perry, his brother, played a crucial role in sailing to Japan and opening it to trade with the West. Perry, himself, spent his youth sailing with his father and became a midshipman at the early age of 13. Perry continued his naval career, serving in many of the main wars of the early nineteenth century.
Overview
Further reading
• Axelrod, Alen; Phillips, Charles. The Macmillan Dictionary of Military Biography (New York: Macmillan, 1998.) p. 343.
• Bancroft, George, 1800–1891; Dyer, Oliver, 1824–1907. (1891) History of the battle of Lake Erie: and miscellaneous papers (New York: R. Bonner's sons) 292 pp. at American Library Association.
Childhood and early life
As a boy, Perry lived in Tower Hill, Rhode Island, sailing ships in anticipation of his future career as an officer in the United States Navy. He was the oldest of five boys born to Christopher and Sarah Perry. Perry came from a long line of accomplished naval men from both sides of his family. His mother taught Perry and his younger brothers to read and write and had them attend Trinity Episcopal Church regularly, where he was baptized by Reverend William Smith on April 1, 1794, a…
Early naval career
Through his father's influence, Perry was appointed a midshipman in the United States Navy, at the age of thirteen, on April 7, 1799. Perry sailed aboard USS General Greene, of which his father was commanding officer, on her maiden voyage in June 1799. The ship made its first stop in Cuba, charged with receiving American merchant ships and providing escort from Havana to the United States. Perry's service aboard General Greene continued during the Quasi-War with France. He fir…
War of 1812
At the beginning of the War of 1812, the British Royal Navy controlled the Great Lakes, except for Lake Huron, while the United States Navy controlled Lake Champlain. The American naval forces were very small, allowing the British to make many advances in the Great Lakes and northern New York waterways. The roles played by commanders like Perry, at Lake Erie and Isaac Chauncey at Lake …
Later commands and controversies
In May 1814, Perry took command of a squadron of seven gunboats based in Newport. He held this command for only two months as in July he was placed in command of USS Java, a 44-gun frigate which was under construction in Baltimore. While overseeing the outfitting of Java, Perry participated in the defenses of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., during the British invasion of the Chesapeake …
Mission to Venezuela and death
In 1818 Perry purchased a large house on Washington Square in Newport which was built in 1750 for merchant Peter Buloid. The house remained in the Perry family until 1865 and now serves as an antique bookstore.
In 1819, Perry sailed for the Orinoco River, Venezuela, aboard of the frigate John Adams with the frigate Constellation and the schooner USS Nonsuch, arriving o…
Family
Perry's parents were Christopher Raymond Perry (1761–1818), who was also born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and Sarah Wallace Alexander (1763–1830). Through his mother, Perry was a direct descendant of the uncle of Scottish nobleman and military leader William Wallace (d. 1305), whose life was the inspiration for the movie Braveheart.