The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1906-08-11
FLAGSHIP NIAGARA TO BE
RAISED FROM LAKE ERIE.
Ship Which the Heroic Perry Defeated the British
to Be Raised Relic of the
Battle of Lake Erie.

The rate bill, pure food inspection
measure and the selection of a type
for the Panama canal are among the
legislative products of the session Of
congress just ended that have the
largest share of interest from a prac-
teal standpoint, but from sensation
al and historic viewpoint, the house,
senate and president, at the instance
of Representative Arthur L. Bates, en-
acted no more interesting law than
that appropriating $4,000 to raise the
famous old flagship Niagara from
Lake Erie, and preserve it as perma-
nent relic on the grounds of the SOL
dicrs' and sailors home at Erie, Pa,
as memorial of the first victory OF
an American fleet over foreign foe.
The bin provides for the salvage
work, under the direction of the secre-
tary Of the navy, and for the erection
of suitable building of brick or
stone for the housing of the vessel af-
ter it is transported to land.
The site contemplated by the board
of trustees of the soldiers and sailors
home of Erie who are made the Gus
todians of the vessel, for the proposed
building, is on bluff overlooking
Lake Erie, making a most appropriate
setting for carrying out the patriotic
Intentions Of the advocates of the res.
toration plan. Thereafter the naval
relic is to be kept on exhibition free
to the public at all times.
The size of the building may be
judged from the fact that the Niagara,
which was built after the same model
as the Lawrence, was 100 feet straight
rabbet, 30 feet beam, 8 feet hold, and
was pierced for 20 guns. B..
Every American knows of the heroic
deeds of Perry at the battle of Lake
the brightest pages in a naval history
lustrous in deeds of valor.
Every schoolboy is, aware how on
that September morning, 1913, the gal
liant Perry defeated the British. but
only after he had had one battleship
virtually shot from under him, SO
that he had to transport his flag to
another.
He began that battle on the Law
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Niagara.
Contrary to an impression that has
gained currency the Niagara did not
sink during the battle. 1t was not I'M
til years later when the memory of the
great victory was fading into forget
fulness that the Niagara found a rest
ing place at the bottom Of the lake.
The battle Of Lake Erie has always
been regarded by Americans as their
browning victory on water in the Sec
ond struggle with Great Britain. 1t
made the fame of Commodore Oliver
Hazard Perry, born in Rhode Island,
and one of the greatest of our early
sea fighters.
Perry not only fought both the Law
renee and the Niagara with consum-
mate skill, but he also built them, an
achievement not possible to the naval
leaders of to-day.
Early in the war he was assigned to
go to Lake Erie, and build two briggs
of war of 500 tons each and twenty
guns. So imperative was the haste
that timber cut in the forest was put
into the ships on the same day.
His force was much depleted and
discouraged by illness when the Brit
ish fleet under the command of the
brave Capt. Robert Heriot Barclay ap-
peared in force.
Barclay was veteran of fine abil-
ity, who had been with Nelson at