Battle of Lake Erie
Near Put-in-Bay, Ohio, Lake Erie
What happened
Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry led the American squadron against the British squadron of Commander Robert Heriot Barclay. During the War of 1812, whoever controlled Lake Erie could move soldiers and supplies along the frontier between the United States and British Canada. Near Put-in-Bay, Ohio, Perry's flagship, the Lawrence, was battered until it could barely fight. Perry moved his flag to another ship, the Niagara, kept up the attack, and the entire British squadron surrendered.
Why it matters
Result: American victory. Leaders: Oliver Hazard Perry / Jesse Elliott against Robert Heriot Barclay / Robert Finnis. Why it matters: The victory gave the United States control of Lake Erie. It allowed American forces to take back Detroit and win the Battle of the Thames.
What came next
Perry reported the victory with the famous words 'We have met the enemy and they are ours.' Weeks later, General William Henry Harrison defeated the British and Tecumseh's warriors at the Battle of the Thames.
Did you know?
Perry's fleet was built from scratch in the wilderness at Presque Isle, now Erie, Pennsylvania, despite shortages of nails and heavy cannons.
Timeline
- 1813Perry's ships are built at Presque Isle, Pennsylvania.
- September 10, 1813Perry defeats the British squadron on Lake Erie.
- October 5, 1813Harrison wins the Battle of the Thames.
- 1819Perry dies of yellow fever on a mission to Venezuela.