Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-10-03
RATTLE OF LAKE ERIE.


Der l0,( the American Squadron on
son of Rhode Island, obtained over u
superior force victory ever memorable
w our naval history. The greater part
Of the gallant n'-u who participated ia
the achievements Of the 10th Of Septem-
her, 1873, no longer survive TO recall
Ms oul-stirring r,eoIlections, or to enjoy
the gratitude of their eountrymen. A
new generation is fast coming upon ths
stage, to whom, as well as DO the survi-
vors of that gloriops day, some Of the
particulars OF the engagement will, il
cannot be doubted, be highly accepta-
bile.
There is no date or limitations To the
deeds of our defenders by sea or land
They are and ever will be recent to the
me mory and to the heart Of every Ams-
rican patriot. The brief history which
follows, is, for the most part, abridged
from the Analectic Magazine for 1913,
and some interesting facts are gathered
from surgical account by DR.. USHER
Parsons, OF This city, published in 1919,
IL the New England Leurnal OF Medi-
cine. &c. DIR. Parsons, FROM the illness
of the chief Surgeon, had the entire
charge Of the wounded on board OF the
! squadron.
! There were nine vessels under thT
| command Of Com PERRY, mounting 81
! guns, the two largest carrying 70 guns
each; the others, which were quite
sa,all, from to guns The Number OF
guns or the British side was SO, in six
vessels, four Of which carried from ~ I"
) 10 gins each, having thus decided adj
vantage in weight Of meal. on ''Ss
morning of the 10th, the dnentar
Squadron, then lying in Put.in-Bay,
: Bass Island, discovered the enemy and
, STOOD for them. "At 10 A. NJ, the.
y wind hauled to the southeast, anIl
brought our Squadron to windwardi
Com. Perry then hoisted the Union,
+ Jack, having for motto the dying words
Of the valiant Lawrence, "Don't give up.
the ship" 1t was received with repeat
}. ed checrings by the officers and. crew.
}, And now, having formed his Rne, he-
,r bore for the enemy, who likewise cleared
for action, and hauled up his courses
: 1T is deeply interesting to picture to our
-. selves tie advances Of those gallant and
= well matched Squadrons to contest
where the strife must be obstinate and
at snnguinary, and the event decisive Of the
fate of almost an empire. The lightnesS
of the wind occasmned them to approach
r. !. each other but slowly, and prolonged the
A. awful interval of suspense that precedes
battle. This is the time when the
III stoutest heart beats quick, 'and the bold
Is est holds his breath:' it is the still mo-
ment of direful expectation, Of fearful
looking out for slaughter and destruction,
when even the glow Of pride and ambi-
ton is chilled for a while, and nature
shudders at the awful jeopardy. The
very order and regularity Of Naval dis
cipline heighten the dreadful Gniet OF tb'
,rv nome nt. No hustle, no noise prevail
la to distract the mind, except at interval
the shrill piping of the boatswain's whis
~ tie, or whisper among the men, VIII,
grouped round their guns, earnestly re
in. gard the movements Of the foe, now ant
then steal ga wstiul glance at the coun
tcnances of their commanders. !"
- As soon as the Lawrence, Perry's flag
OF" o'u ship, eame within reach Of the enemy
s guns, which were longer than her own
mt, heavy fire was opened upon her, whiol
go, was returned as soon as she had gaiDe'
les, a nearer position, but with'very unequa
cK- effect. This greater lengthi Of guns gav,
r a great advantage to the British Squad
f." fno ron. "Tbeir shot pierced her sides il
Wis, all directions, killing our men on thu
berth deck and in the steerage: wher'
- they had been taRen down 10 De Giy saa,I
One shot had nearly Produced a fatar ex.
'g, plosion-passipg through the light-room
on it knocked :he snuff of the candle intr
h;- ai the magazine; fortunately the gunne,
happened to see It, and had the presence
Of mind to extinguish it Immediately with
or, his hand"
'he The object Of the enemy seemed to be
iof to destroy the Lawrence FIRST Com
ing Perry saw this intention, and attempted
TO bear up and carry the British fag -shiy
by boarding; but he was prevented b;
the tremendous fire, which cut his ne
- ging entirely to pieces and rendered hi
e. g" vessel manageable. With only a few
- guns to bear on the enemy, she sustaine,
-, their fire for more than two hosrs With,
" canister distance. "The Lawrence wa
reduced to a mere wreck; her deck
- were streaming with blood, and covere,
with mangled limbs and the bodies Of tn,
slain; nearly the whole Of her crew wa
w either killed or wounded; her guns wer,
- dismounted, and the Commodore and hi
officer helped to work the last that wa
III 4