Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-07-04


ish Navy he would have been hanged
Mr.. Magraih, who signed letter pre-
judicial to The character Of Capt. Perry,
told me he would suffer his right arm to
be cut of il he could withdraw his name
from that paper"
We shall close our extracts with the
affidavit of Lieut.. VIM. V. Tay lor, sail
ing master Of the Lawrence, which from
the station held by that officer, rendering
it incumbent upon him to enter the prin-
cipal occurrences in the ships log book
is perhaps more full, positive and conclu-
sive in its statements than any Of The
others. "On the 10Th Of September our
squadron was lying in Put-l0 Bay, with
some islands, Of which Snake island was
the chief, to leeward. AT daylight, the
enemy's squadron was discovered in the
N. w. from the mast head Of the Law
renee when Commodore Perry imme-
diately ordered the signal made TO get
under weigh. Aicr we got under weigh
he asked me il thought we should be
able TO work out to windward OF the Is
lands, in tire 10 gain the weather gage
Of the enemy. ] replied that did not
think we could, the wind being at s. w.
aud light. The commodore then said
he would wear ship and go TO leeward Of
the islands in time 10 get the weather
gage Of the enemy, as he was dctermin-
ed 10 bring the enemy To battle that day,
even il he gave tho weather gage. The
wind, however, at t.iis time hauled to the
Southwark and Eastward, which enabled
us to clear the islands, and keep the
weather gage. AT 10 A. nj. the enemy
despairing of gaining the wind, hove to
in line, with their heads to the West
ward, ut about three leagues distance ;
the wind was then about 5. r. and a
light breeze.
"The signal to prepare for action was
made from the Lawrence at a quarter
before meridian. The enemy's flag ship
fired single shot at the Lawrence.
Signal was made for each ressei 10 engage
her opponent, as designated IN prerious
orders which made the Lawrence OPP
posed to the encmy's new ship Detroit,
aud the Niagara the Queen Charlotte.
Commodore Perry then ordered The rord
passed by trumpet, through Capt. Elliot,
for The american squadron 10 close mp, as
before prescribed, irhich was al hay caJte's
length distance. AT meridian, finding
the enemy within reach Of our carron-
ades, opened our fire, and continued
nearing them until within cannistcr range
and were gallantly supported by the
Caledonia, Lieut.. Turner, and by the
Ariel aud ScorpIon-both on our weather
bow. Shortly after the action commen-
ced, | observed the Niagara to be a con-
siderable distance asiern, mith her mann
fopsaii 10 Me masi, and her .jib braiIcd up;
aml ! am strongly impressed ,ciih The be-
lief that her tpgaliah sails uere ncrer
sci until Commodore Perry no. nj on board
Of her, after the Lawrence had been dis
abled.
"Once or twice during the engage
ment, | asked Capt. Perry if he observed
the conduct Of that ship and the different
conduct Of the Caledonia. The enemy's
ship, Queen Charlotte, taking advan-
tage Of the great distance at which The
Niagara kept herself, closed with the
Detroit, and opened her fire in concert
with that ship upon the Lawrence, which
proved SO destructive that by half past
one O'Clock, p. NJ, we were completely
disabled, and our decks covered with
killed and wounded but the animating
exertions of Capt. Perry kept alive the
spirits of the small remnant Of our crew,
and the action was continued until only
one gun could be fired, at which Capt.
Perry assisted himself. lie then de-
terinined to quit the Lawrence, aud take
command of The Niagara, which ship he
observed, did not appear much injured
AT the time Of Capt. Perry's leaving the
Lawrence, the Niagara was passing our
larbOard beam, at from quarter to a
half mile distance, leaving the Law
renee between that ship and the enemy.
The Caledonia al the same time passing
our starboard beam, and between US and
the enemy.
cit was a considerable time, with all
the exertiODs OF the boats crew, before
Capt. Perry could come up with the Nj
agara. When he did get on board that
ship, he Immediately brought her into
action, and passing through the cncmy's
squadron poured into them a treme endous
fire from both sides. In a few minutes
the enemy's vessels surrendered to him
and struck their colors, except two small
vessels, which attempted TO escape, but
were pursued and captured. ] had as
sisted in the equipment Of the Niagara as
well as the Lawrence. The former ship
was in all respects equal to the latter, in
size, in number, weight and description
Of guns in rigging and equipment, and
in point Of sailing. Before Capt. Elliott
arrived on Lake Erie, the Niagara was
commanded by Lieut.. Turner, and the
squadron had already been out on
cruise manned chiefly with volunteer
militia. Capt. Elliott brought up from
Ontario from ninety to hundred prime
.men-thc chief part Of whom he took on
board the Niagara, which ship was much
better manned than the Lawrence.
"All necessary orders previous 10 the
engagement were distinctly given in wri-
ting, and put into the hands Of each CON-
mander !; and the last words Of Commo.
dOre Perry, to all the officers assembled
ON the eve of the battle. were. that he