The Springfield herald., 1913-05-23

harmed men, including commander and surgeon,
were left on board
The Niagara for some reason had remained In
the The smaller American vessels seemed
unable to do anything to prevent a British VIC
tory.
With the audacity of genius Perry called four
sailors to man the boats, and with his brother
Alexander, the flag of the Lawrence wrapped
round his arm. he left the ship. At first he was
shielded by the battle smoke. Then he was
rowed through the enemys fire for fifteen min
utes. at last reaching the Niagara unharmed. The
breeze freshened, speeding the Niagara and
the American schooners into action. The queen
Charlotte of the British fleet disabled while
getting into position for a broadside She fell
foul of the Detroit. The American schooners
took raking positions. The full battery of the
Niagara, Joining in the steady and rapid fire.
swept the British decks. Kentucky rifiemen in
the tops acting as marines picked Off every
enemy visible. AT O'Clock the British flag was
hauled down. 1t the first time In Britain's
history that she had lost a whole squadron. Then
1t was that the deck of the Niagara Perry dis
patched to the secretary of the navy the brief
account of his victory and shortly afterward sent
to Gen. William H. Harrison the line: I'VE have
met the enemy and they ours"
Congress voted Perry thanks, medal and
the rank of captain. The city Of Boston pre-
sented him with set of silver, and other cities
voted him thanks. He assisted in the defense
of Baltimore, and In the squadron that was sent
to the Mediterranean In 1915 he commanded the
frigate Java. In June. 1919. while In command
of the John Adams and other United States ves1
sells In the West Indies. he contracted yellow
fever in the Orinoco and died.
The United States has appropriated $250.000
for Perry memorial to be erected at Putin Bay
on Bass Island. The great shaft will stand in
the midst of park. Individual states have
brought the total up to 100000. New York gave
$4,000; Ohio. $4,000: Pennsylvania. $4,000:
Wisconsin. $4,000. Other states that Interested
themselves were Michigan Illinois, Rhode Island.
Kentucky and Minnesota.
About year ago the national commissioners
of fine arts accepted design for the memorial
submitted by ]. H. Freedlander and A. d. Sey-
mour. Jr. The design provides for plaza
1000 feet long and about 200 feet deep. On the
plaza will be a Doris column 800 feet high. The
island on which the column will rise is one Of a
group at the western end of Lake Erie.
The fourteen acres have been acquired to pro-
vide a reservation around the memorial. The
Doric column will serve a lighthouse Other
features museum a statue typifying peace
hanked by colonnade In the museum will be
panels arranged for mural paintings descriptive
Of historical events connected with the battle of
Lake Erie.
The plan calls for crypt under the shaft in
which will be placed the bodies of American and
British sailors who pershed in the battle. which
were buried on the island. The sum Of 100000
has been set aside for harmonizing the landscape
with the general scene.
The members of the commission having charge
of the Perry centennial celebration will try to
secure brief suspension OF that convention be-
tween the United States and Canada by which
warships ray not enter the Great Lakes. The
Idea is to have. British and American battleships
at the ceremony Of dedicating the column to
Perry's victory and possibly warship two
of Canada's new navy
The national commission of fine arts which Be-
lected the design for the Perry memorial con-
sists Of Daniel H. Burnham. chairman; Daniel G.
French. Thomas Hastings Frederick Law Ohm
sted, Charles Moore, Cass Gilbert and Francis d
Mtllet They were unanimous In their choice OF
design Commander George H. Worthington
Gen. Nelson A. Miles and Col. Henry Watterson
are on the interstate board in charge of the
celebration.