The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-07

days: / long to have a so at him; he
shows no disposition TO avoid the con-
test"
Capt. Barclay had succeeded Capt. Fin
mis-. in command OF the British squadron
on Lake Erie. Capt. Robert Heriot Bar
clay had borne distinguished part un-
der Admiral Nelson IN the battle OF Ira
falgar lie was an officer of nndaunted
courage and experience. Perry was young
and unaccusomed TO war.
The I'd OF August Barclay went to Port
Dover TO accept the honor OF public din
ner. While he was drinking toasts. Per-
ry was floating hls brigs and for AZ hours
labored incessantly without sleep or rest.
There seems 10 have been a serious dif-
ference between Commodore Chauncey
and Lieut.. Perry at this time on account
of the inferior quality OF reinforcements
sent TO Perry.
However, on the 9th OF August, Master
Commandant Jesse d. Elliot arrived at
Erie with 100 men and was assigned to
te Niagara. For a month the improvis-
ed, poorly equipped feet was busy watch
ing the enemy or blockading Maiden
where e., ritish were building the De-
troit
Superhuman exertions had begun TO tell
on Perrys superb constitution ana the
latter part . August he was taken with
lake fever. His indomitable will quickly
| triumphed over the disease september
tho 1st he was again on deck.
At sunrise the morning OF the 10th the
lookout from the Lawrence saw the Brit
ish squadron In the distance and Perrys
fleet Immediately sailed out OF Putin
Bay TO meet It,
FIGHTING STRENGTH OF EACH.
Perry's force did not contain dozen
experienced seamen. In Barclays squad
ron there were 10 men from the royal
navy. Eight were sailors from Canada,
250 were soldiers, mainly regulars, max
ing more than 400 in all.
The British fleet consisted of the De-
troit. the Queen Charlotte, commanded
by Capt Finnis: the Lady Provost, Lieut..
Buchan; the brig Hunter, Lieut. Bignal;
the Porcup' e, Mr.. Campbell; and the
Little Belt commander not known; So
guns In all.
The American force consisted OF the
Lawrence. Perry's flagship. with Lieut..
Yarnall next I'm caommand the brig
Niagara, Master Commandant Elliott,
the Caledonia. Lieut.. Daniel Turner;
the Ariel, Lieut.. Packett; the Scor-
pion. Sailing Master Champlin; the
Somers. Sailing Master Almy; the Por-
cupine. Midshipman senat: the Tigress'
Lieut.. Conkling: the Trippe, Lieut.
Holdup: nine vessels In all, with an ar
mament of 81 guns
The crews consisted of 532 men, 125 from
| the navy. fourth raw recruits, fourth
negroes with 116 UNIT for duty, making
the total force OF inexperienced men
ready for duty Sls.
| From the masts OF the flagship Law
renee fioated blue flag, with emblazon-
| ed on II in white letters. Don't give up
| the ship Both squadrons were ready.
| for the fight 1t was perfect autumn
| day.
Just before the battle began. Perry went
to his cabin and arranged the ships pa
| pers and log for throwing overheard In
| case OF necessity, read over his wife's
| letters and threw them into the lake.
FIGHT wAxED FOR HOURS.
A quarter before u the first shot was
| fired from the Detroit This was the bat
| tie signal. The first shot from the Amer
| manded by Champlin, who fired the nrst
| and last shot 10 this notable battle,
The full fore of the enemy's fire was was
| leveled at the flagship Lawrence Inc
| Niagara kept out of the tight until the
4 Lawrence was almost n total wreck.
when Perry left II In four-oared boat;
\ accompanied by his little brother and
made for the Niagara, which was then
uninjured.
He left the Lawrence in command of
Lieut. Yarnall. who was dangerously
wounded Forrest, his second Lieutenant,
WAS struck In the breast by grapeshot
| Lieut. Brooks OF Massachusetts was ter
ribly wounded by ball. which shattered
| the bone OF his hin The wound proved
| fatal before the battle was over.
Midshipman Lamb was wounded IN the
| arm and afterward hurled against the
| side of the shin by shot and instantly
| fell dead These Incidents are related 70
show the carnage OF the battle and the
| bravery OF Perry's men.
I So many OF the gunners on the Law
renee were either dead or dying that the
| chaplain and the purser had 10 be called
upOn 20 man the guns.
For two hours and forty-hve minutes
| the Lawrence. the Scorpion and the Ariei
| bore the brunt OF the fight IL was ~
| this iuncture Perry ordered his boat 10
| be manned and stepped into II with -FOUR
| seaman and his little brother As ne
| went over the side OF the Lawrence he
said: "Tf victory is 20 be gained VIII
| gain g." 80,
Standing erect IN the boat Perry, with
| his pennant and banner folded about nm
was a conspicuous target for his foes. Tho
| oarsmen compelled him % take his scat
! for n rain OF grapeshot WAS ny'ng around
| them. One shot made hole IN tho boat
! which Perry stopped up with his coat
BRITISH FINALLY SURRENDER.
| Eight rninutcsafter cPrry took COM
maud Of the Nlsgars every .shin In the
| British squadron had surrendered except
two. the little BELT and Chippewa. These
J ATTEMPTED 10 escape The Scorpion and
/ Trlppe went after and captured them. ~
3 o'clock the Detroit lowered her rag
| ~ y ~ flpfN 'aNNfflfNNAF Wy
| tho following 10 the secretary Of the
| navy
T. s. Brig Niagara.
Sept. 10 1919. T. NJ
SIR:
IL has pleased the Almighty 10 give
the arms of the United states a signal
| victory over the enemy on this lake. The
Er,iih hr, squadron goas,stnE e two shp, sops
| have this moment surrendered 90 the
| force under my command. after a sharp
| conflict
have the honor 20 be.
\ Sir.
Very respectfully.
Your Obcdient Servant
l a.