The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-07
GLORIOUS DAY FOR
RHODE ISLAND.
Memorable Will Be Tuesday Next
at Buffalo Exposition Importance
of Perry'S Great Victory.

Peacefully nrstlng under tle SepVehbV'
sun in the mothcrly lap of Lake Erie. the
Islands OF Put-in-Bay seemed far remov-
ed from cannon shot and the smoke OF
battle as Commodore Hazard Perry with
his feet of homemade boats sailed into
the beautiful harbor In his eager search
for the British feet which he was so soon
10 destroy.
The Put-in-Bay islands are today fun
Of memories of Perry's victory or Sep
teriber 10, Ic13 Here on little Ballast ISL
and rs the spot from which the almost un-
weidy small boats carried gravel 10 the
vessels OF the American fleet for ballast.
On the large island itself, with rocky
shores fun Of caverns washed out by the
waves. their sesrated sides showing that
Lake Erie In anger is a monster OF ter
rihle power, are memories OF Perry and
his gallant Rhode Island sailors on every
hand.
Here close by the landing II the great
willow, beneath which sleep the dead
taken from the decks of Perry's ships TO
lie for ever close to tho inland sea, which
their blood had colored. Perry's cave, n
great grotto. with spring OF living, limpid
water in Its depths is replete with inter-
est.
vineyards and farms. and cottages Of
GUNNER resorters tell no tale of that great
day. 'xvo have met the enemy and they
are ours" was sent from these island
shores TO thrill a republic and TO remain
q shibboleth OF victory Tor army ana
navy as long as time Is.
IMPORTANCE OF THE BATTLE.
The importance or the battle OF Lake
Erie. which will be celebrated on Rhode
Island day at the Pan-American exposi-
ton, is not generally understood nor ap-
preciated. The hardships Commodore
S-hauncey and Lieutenant Oliver Hazard
Perry endured TO make this victory possi-
BILE will probably never be known.
February nth, 1918. Lieutenant Perry
was ordered from Newport, Rhode Island.
TO sackett's harbor with the best men
fn his command where he was TO report
10 Commodore Chauncey before taking
charge of the force 10 be formed on Lake
Erie for tho defense OF that lake and the
region south of II against British aggres-
sion. The day he received the orders he
sent forward the first detachment or hfty
men.
February 22d he started on his perilous
tourney March Sd he arrived at his des-
tination Tne 18th he was ordered 10
erie TO hasten the construction OF the
vessels there being built The journey In
the depth OF winter through primeval. for
ests infested by hostile savages was
hard one. He was greeted with coldness
by the people OF Sacketts harbor because
the principal business of the inhabitants
was smuggling.
The capture OF the territory or Michi-
ran. which then covered an area much
larger than the present state. had given
Great Britain the command OF Lake Erie
and the strategic position by which she
boped 10 make the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers the western limit OF the United
states, extending the Dominion OF Canada
20 the Gulf OF Mexico. Perry had been
chosen 20 thwart these plans and TO Sc
r,,re control of the northern lakes.
When Perry arrived at Erie he found
xeyeral vessels in process OF construction,
the work being In charge OF shipwright
from New York. The two brigs. the Nj
aeara and the Lawrence. were well under
way. Two gunboats and schooner were
also being built II had been learned
that an attack was contemplated upon
these unbuilt ships and force OF work
men was drilled 20 repel II.
PEN PICTURE OF PERRY.
The following is a pen picture of Perry
uhen he entered upon this arduous task
at the age OF twenty-eight:
HE was a man of lofty stature ana
athletic build, with a broad forehead, reg
ular features and large, dark eyes; a mo-
bile mouth, around which an irresistible
smile was wont 10 hover His whole air
was expressive Of health freshness, COM
fort and contentment bearing the tesu-
rnony of life of temperance and modera-
ton
He was said TO be man of great per-
ronal magnetism who could attach MS
subordinates TO him. His energy and
executive ability were beyond question.
To create navy In the face of an enemy
under great disadvantages was an un-
dertakiug which required abilities of the
very highest order.
on the 80 OF May the gunboats were
launched: OF the 23d at sunset the two
brlgs, or nye hundred tons, pierced for
twenty guns were made ready for the
launching Perry heard that Fort George
was to be attached by the army In con-
junction with the ontario fleet
Fort George is at the outlet OF the
Niagara river When Il was dark he took
All open boat Of four oars and though the
might was black with storms squalls and
head winds he was rowed 10 Buffalo and
1he following day reported TO Chauncey
ss volunteer. Chsuncey said. mo
yeraon on earth at this time could be
more welcome"
The fort was captured and Il released
from blockade the naval station az Black
Rock so that Porrys force was aug
,nenied b. the addition OF tho Caledonia.
captured the year previous by Lieutenant
Elliot. three small schooners and q sloop
which had been fitted out az gunhoats IN
New York Laden with naval material
these were brought by tho aid OF oxen 20
buffalo supported by sesmon and soldiers
20 the number OF 200. This flotilla had
eight guns
VICTORY AND HONOR. OR DEATH.
At Buffalo they were In great danger
from the feet OF capt Finnis. a British
cfhccr. Who was watching them. Perry =
,l<ilsucc and shrowdness enabled him 20
esc.pe snd on the 18th Of June as the
British squadron came into view he an
of Erie
Tho 10Th ~ july an the vessels were
ready bat there vcrc not enough seamen
Nth which 10 mar them. Perry wrote
thepncey ss Follows. Give me mon
srd SIN aoquire honor. both for you and