The Battle of Lake Erie

In September 1813 the British squadron under R. Barclay sailed from Amherstburg to collect desperately needed food supplies and met the larger, more heavily armed American squadron commanded by O. Perry. The British had the initial advantage of the wind and used their long range guns to disable the American flagship LAWRENCE. With his own ship crippled, Perry was rowed to the NIAGARA, which had held back from the fighting. With the wind now to his advantage, Perry bore down on the British line, pouring a murderous broadside into the enemy ships from his more powerful but shorter range carronades. The DETROIT and QUEEN CHARLOTTE were disabled and their officers killed or wounded. The two vessels became entangled and unable to manoeuvre. The Americans raked the British ships with cannon fire until they surrendered, capturing the entire British squadron and leaving the Americans in command of Lake Erie for the duration of the war.

Ontario · Canada