New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-24
PERRY AND SOMERS.
r,,u BRAVE DEEDS OF TWO HEROES OF
THE AMERICAN NAVY.
NOW PERRY FOUGHT IN THE LAWRENCE ON
lake ERIE-THE EXPLOIT OF RICHARD
soMERs ON THE INTREPID IN TIE
HAEBOR OF TRIOIL
HAHBOR OF TRIrOLI.

sOMERS ON TIE INTREPID IN TIE
HAEBOR OF TRIrOL.
pcrry's brilliant naval victory on Lake Erie
N the War Of 1872 has ever since remained one
A. the most gallant and hard fought sea con
tests recorded to the credit of the American
arms It's importance In securing to tho United
States the possession Of the Great West. men
eced by the British. and the fact that it was tho
first time in her history that England los. ar
entire s!uadrOn-which surrendered. by the
wny to a young man Of twenty-sevcn- have
contributed to hcishten the fame OF the Battle OF
Lake Erie.
II was on the morning Of September 10 1913
that Perry moved out from Put Bay. near tn,
western end OF the lake with his squadron
consisting of vessels. mounting IS guns
and carrying nearly 100 men. With these he
met tn British fleet under Robert II. Barclay
who had served with Nelson at Trafalgar
There were only British vessels but th"y
mounted G3 guns. and their crews. while
amounting also 10 about 500 men were far
NOR experienced soamcn and Cunncrs than the
Americans. MANY CT the latter. moreover were
sick Fl mon out Of the crew Of l31 on
Perrys flagship. the Lawrence. being unn, for
duty As the feet got under way Commander
Perry displayed TO The non ~ the Lawrence a
blue nag bearing IN white letters the immortal
word 4 Captain Lawrence when h. f.N three
month before on the deck Il thc ChesaI Ak
"Dont give up the ship" There was hearty
cheer as this lar was hostcd 70 the na!nroyl al
masthead II the brig.
As the fleets approached each other. tho De
troit which. rs the heaviest OF tho British ships
was leading their line opened fire on the Law
rence from her long guns Gradually the other
vessels on both sides drew up and Joined the
bat,le but the leading British ships. instead Il
each engaging one opponent as Pcrry had hoped
would be tie case all concentrated their fire
upon the unfortunate American flagship She
replied CALAMITY but In time this VI equal sirug-
gle reduced her to n wreck. owing 10 the fear
fu injuries to the crew. Lieutenant farnal
found himself without an officer in his division
Upon an appeal TO Perry for aids. several were
granted to him In a few minutes Narnal.
streaming with blood from scalp wound. again
came 10 his commander.
DEATH on TIE. LAWRENCE
"rhcsc officers. too. have been cut down" he
raid. Il need more"
81 have no more 10 give you" replied Perry
you must cndeavor to make out 10y yours ~
each u the guns in his division with his own
hands Though wounded three times and obliged
10 retire 10 the cockpit he returned persis,"ntly
IN his most This was only orc iustanc" ~ the
heroisrn shown 10y the officers and men - the
Lawrence After an hour Of the conflict only
one run was left mounted. and only cghico:
men. including Perry and the surgeon. wcr" l"''
uniniurcd The most hearircnt.ng scenes
,..k ,,l,cn IT, The cockpit. where ih" sur
gcon was trying 20 attend 20 The wounded
Shells crashed into the room and kih''i
The men az thy were receiving medical
AID The surgeon worked In LAKE 81 Dl''d-
Toward the end u the battle Perry called lo'
The surgeons aids TO help work the guns ana
onc by one they went until tho surgeon as
LEFT alone below with the dead ana W'nHi'd
Presently Perry called through u" sh} 'sAt'
"Can any q the wounded pull q r'ic
In respons. f. their commanders voice '"o
Or three men summoned all thor energies ara
lent their weakened strength TO WORKING ne
guns Perry himself. the chaplain ana 'h'
purscr il is said nr'd the lat gun III n" snip
Finding then that his only chance - victory Ihy
in transferring his flag to another vessel Perry
accompanied iy his 'ung brother. jumper "'''
a boat, named by four sailors. and showed Oh
from the Lawrence. Upon his arm II" 'h''''
the blue remnant inscribed with Lawrence :
diving words Shielded al nrst by the smoke
the boat proceod,G some distance. when She Was
struck by a shot Perry stripped OF his coat
And hinged III, tho hole and the little craft soon
reached the brig Niagara once on D"d'" ~
this the commander rehoisted his flag. ana al
Ing all his shlus together made "A last desperate
attack The t,.o British ships Detroit and queen