The Florida star., 1901-09-06


ment viii be here. They viii be ably
assisted by the Pan-American commits
sion. the vice presidents and honorary
members OF the board OF women man
ayers for Rhode Island.
For several weeks Hon. George N.
Kingsbury. the Rhode Island executive
superintendent. who Is also resident
commissioner. has been actively pro-
noting plans TO make the day a con-
spicuous success both as TO the attrac-
tiveness OF the programme and size OF
the crowd. Rhode Island should be
heartily Joined by her sister states In
making this notable anniversary a
great day at the Pan-American exposi-
ton.
second In command In the engagement
and was voted a medal and sword by
congress. Captain Hugh Nelson Page
OF Virginia distinguished himself for
bravery in the fight and was voted two
jewel hilted swords-One by the con-
gress OF the United States, the other by
the legislature OF Virginia. Other COM
manders from other states also bore
conspicuous parts In the great battle.
but TO Rhode Island mainly belongs
the palm OF victory. Her citizens were
In the majority both as TO officers and
men. Few battles OF the Revolution
were pregnant with more important re-
suits. After winning a battle against
a superior force and better guns. Com
modOre Perry and his lake squadron
went TO the coast OF Michigan and
assisted the army in driving the Brit
ish troops from that state. A brief
sketch OF Commodore Perry and his
officers and a condensed resume OF the
battle have especial interest at this time.
The celebration OF Sept. 10 as Rhode
Island day naturally revives memories
OF the gallant band who fought the
battle and added a signal victory 10
the list OF American triumphs.
Oliver Hazard Perry was born Aug.
%. 17S5. at Newport, K. l., and died
Aug. %, 1919, near the coast OF Trini-
dad or yellow fever contracted on the
shores OF the OrinOcO river. He was
13 years old when his father took him
20 sea In a small frigate, the General
Greene. He served as midshipman on
the frigate Adams. which sailed from
Newport in 1902 to join Commodore
Morris squadron at Gibraltar. In 1909
he went to sea in command Of the Re
venge, an armed schooner employed in
coast defense. He first gained distinc-
ton of the coast OF Florida by rescu-
ing a stolen American vessel under the
very guns OF the British man-of-war
Gore OF double his force. Later he was
made master commandant or totilla
at Newport. February, 1913, he was
ordered 10 join Commodore Chauncey
with the picked men or his Newport
fiotiIla. The next month he was as
signed To duty on Lake Erie, where the
vessels which were 10 compose the
naval squadron OF the lakes were being
built. He actively superintended their
construction. and in May three gun
boats and two brigs Were launched and
equipped. He made perilous trip,
part OF the time m a small four Dared
boat. May %, TO confer with Commo-
dore Chauncey about proposed attack
on Fort George. He spent the night OF
the 9th in the city OF Buffalo. The
result of this expedition was the open
ing of the port of Black Rock and the
collecting OF five additional American
vessels, which he conducted 60 Erie
and added To his own tieet.
Sept. 10 the American feet lay In
Put-in-bay, near Sandusky, when Per
~ discovered the British squadron III
the offing and went out TO meet IL
Captain Barclay. the British command
er, had the warships Detroit ana
Queen Charlotte. the schooner Lazy
Provost. the brig Hunter and two
smaller vessels, the Chippewa and Lit
tie Belt, numbering G3 guns. 5O2 ON
GERS and the men Perry had the Drlgs
Lawrence, Niagara. Caledonia. Scor-
pion. Ariel Somers. POrcupine. Tigress
and Trippe-54 guns and 400 men. In
the beginning of the engagement the
whole strength OF the enemy was Ill
rected against the flagship Lawrence.