The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-01
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BY RICHARD sp1LLANE.

To be the first American commander
20 capture q British fleet would seem
to be honor enough for any man, but
to Oliver Hazard Perry there was
greater glory. In all the history of
naval warfare there Is no parallel for
the manouvre By which no won the
battle of Lake Erie. From helpless,
shot.riddled wreck In which for two
hours and half he had fought a
Homeric fight, he took his flag
through hail OF fire to another~ship,
and then, in seven minutes OF furious
lighting, turned defeat into victory.
lie only was twenty eight years old
when he won undying fame. and he
only was thirty-four when he died
OF yellow fever In the Orinoco River,
but he ranks we'll up near the head
OF the list of the nations great COM
modores, The story OF his life in the
seven months nc was in command OIL
Lake Erie is an inspiration to the
youth Of Aperica. Rackcd BIZ disease
and left almost to his own devices
through official neglect. he built his
ships from the virgin forest, tri-
umphed over nature by lifting them
over the bar that suddenly formed ana
held them captive. took them into bat
Tic hIlu llItN, WueI lUc Ody SccIIcu loSt,
snatched victory from disaster as
never sea fighter did before The blood
OF warrior true pulsed In the yeins
OF Oliver Perry. Ardent, dauntless
and fired with courage that knew
no such word as fail, he was as gener-
Gus as he was brave. 1t was not
through FAULT OF his that his flagship.
the Lawrence, was turned into sham
blea and had to strike her colors when
lie left her. but because half of his
squadron, through the queer conduct
OF his second in command, practically
took no part in the battle until Perry
abandoned the Lawrence and hoisted
his flag on the Niagara, yet he sought
to shield the man at fault. Not until,
this officer had the effron,ery to claim
the victory as his did Perry cali him
TO account
Official Disfnyor.
Perry was born In South Kingston.
r. l.. August %. i7s5. He had ma
tural love for the sea. for his father
commanded one OF the American war
vessels in the Revolutionary War. He
was a midshipman when he was thir-
teen and a lieutenant when he was
twenty-one. He served under Preble
in tho Trlpoittan War. but when the
War OF lsle opened he was in official
disfavor. a year before the schooner
Revenge. which he commanded. was
wrecked in fog off Watch Hill. r.
j. He asked for another command.
but was refused. Again and again
he applied. but each time he got the
same response. He was not to blame
for the loss of the Revenge. and a
court of inquiry had given a verdict 10
that effect. but the naval authorities
seemed 10 have a poor opinion of him
Believing 1T was useless TO continue
his appeals to Washington. he Of
fered his services TO Commodore
5hauncey. who was In command OF the
lakes and whose headquarters were at
sacketts Harbor. Chauncey was
slow going. commonplace man, who
played a game with the British COM
mander on Lake Ontario that might
be likened to checkers. Tho British
would make demonstration against
come point on the American side and
then Chauncey would return the COM
pl!ment by sailing over and firing
few shots at Kingston or some other