Historical Battle Overview
In order for the American forces to wrest control of Lake Erie from the British, Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry was ordered to direct the naval effort there. Arriving at Presque Isle in March, Perry began the job of building a suitable naval force, and by September 1813, six ships had been constructed at Presque Isle and five others were brought from the naval yard at Black Rock, located near Buffalo.
On September 10, 1813, a British squadron of six ships commanded by Commander Robert Heriot Barclay met Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry's American squadron of nine ships near Put-in-Bay, north of the Sandusky River. In one of the bloodiest naval actions of the war, the two forces battled for over three hours, with Perry's fleet ultimately defeating that of the British.
Historical Outcome
After Perry's decisive victory, the British could no longer supply their forces across Lake Erie and were forced to abandon Detroit on September 18 and Fort Malden on September 24. This withdrawl left the Americans in control of Lake Erie and opened a the way for a second American attempt to invade Canada.
Briefings and Orders of Battle
Commander Robert Heriot Barclay :
The Americans must be swept from Lake Erie if the land forces are to have any hope of holding on to the
western theatre. Your flagship, the Detroit, is larger than anything the Americans have afloat. As well,
the Americans are out gunned at long range, but there is some concern that if your ships get too close, they may
be raked by American carronades. It is now 10:00am 10 September 1813. What orders do your commanders have? For a detailed
Order of Battle click HERE.
Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry :
The British must be swept from the lake. Once the lake is secured, the Michigan Territory is safe and General Harrison will
be free to push the British out of Upper Canada. If you can get in close to the British ships your carronades will
finish them off. Your only concern is what the British long guns will do if you allow the British
to stay at long range. It is now 10:00am 10 September 1813. What orders do your commanders have?
For a detailed Order of Battle click HERE.
Battle of Lake Erie (Put-in-Bay) : September 10, 1813 - Map :
Battle of Lake Erie (Put-in-Bay) : September 10, 1813 - After Action Report
A light, but fickle, breeze was blowing from the southeast as the two opposing fleets, now within sight of each other, slowly closed the distance between them.
The British squadron approached from the north was split in two line ahead formations. On the right, Commander Barclay's flagship, the Detroit, was in the lead, with the General Hunter, and Chippawa following. On the left, Captain Finnis commanding the Queen Charlotte, led the Lady Provost, and Little Belt following.
The American squadron approached from the south was also split in two line ahead formations. On the left, Master Commandant Perry's flagship, the Lawrence, was in the lead, with the Caledonia, and Ariel following. The smaller Somers and Scorpion moved off to the far left (off table). On the right, Captain Elliot commanding the Niagara, led with the Porcupine, Tigress, and Trippe following.
As the two opposing squadrons closed the distance between them, the two British lines turned to their starboard, thereby forming a single line ahead lead by the Detroit.
Perry's formation maintained a steady course, with apparent intent to pierce the British line, whereas Finnis' formation slowly moved to a line abreast (to the left of the Niagara), thereby allowing the bow guns of the Porcupine, Tigress, and Trippe to eventually bear on the rear ships of the British line. Shortly afterwards, the first fire was exchanged between the two fleets.
At the lead of the British line, the Detroit and General Hunter focused their fire on the approaching Lawrence, inflicting some damage to Perry's flagship. At the rear of the British line, the Little Belt began to bear the brunt of the fire from the swivel bow guns of the Porcupine, Tigress, and Trippe.
Instead of breaking the British line, as was feared by Barclay; Perry instead signaled to the General Hunter and Chippawa to follow the Lawrence as it turned to port (i.e. left). This maneuver would bring Perry's ships parallel to the British line, but more importantly put the enemy within range of his short ranged carronades.
With the van of the two opposing fleets now parallel to each other and at close range, the damage suffered by both sides mounted with each successive broadside. The Little Belt, losing its only mast, fell out of the British line and began drifted downwind as its crew worked to affect what repairs they could. Elliot, aboard the Niagara, could see the Little Belt was helpless and moved his ship in to either take a prize or finish her off.
The engagement began breaking down into a series of individual, yet fierce actions along the entire battle line. The two respective flagships squared off against each other with the Detroit taking considerably more damage than it was delivering to the Lawrence.
Further down the line, the Caledonia and Ariel were similarly engaged with the General Hunter and Chippawa. During this brief engagement a fire broke out aboard the Chippawa and before the crew could contain the flames quickly spread to the magazine. The resulting explosion cut the Chippawa in half, sending her quickly below the waves.
The Little Belt, still drifting, could see the Niagara bearing down on her, but refused to strike its colors, firing on the American ship as it approached. The Niagara, in response, fired its starboard broadside of nine carronades, sinking the resolute Little Belt.
Barclay, having no knowledge of the fates of the Chippawa and Little Belt, continued engaging the Lawrence, even though cumulative damage had reduced the Detroit's maneuverability considerably. During the exchange of fire, the Lawrence's wheel was lamed which prevented her from turning until its crew repaired it.
Elliot now buoyed by his early success, signaled orders to attack the rear of the British line. In response, Finnis, aboard the Queen Charlotte, signaled the Lady Provost to follow as he turned to meet Elliot. In doing so, Finnis effectively "crossed the T" of the approaching American ships. The bow guns of the Porcupine, Tigress, and Trippe did not have the same effect on the larger British ships as they had on the Little Belt. As a result, the Queen Charlotte and Lady Provost suffered very little damage.
The Queen Charlotte and Lady Provost were now within range to rake the bows of the Trippe and Tigress respectively. The full, short range, broadsides delivered by the two British ships were too much for the diminutive Trippe and Tigress to absorb, sending both American ships to the bottom of Lake Erie. Elliot on board the Niagara could only watch, as two ships assigned to his command were so quickly lost.
Meanwhile, the British and American flagships continued their struggle. The Detroit was now adrift with the damage sustained to her rigging and remained at the mercy of the Lawrence's carronades. Though Perry was convinced that the Detroit would strike her colors, her guns defiantly continued firing even as she was taking on water at a steady rate.
It was a foregone conclusion that the Detroit, flagship of the British fleet on Lake Erie, by refusing to lower its flag, would soon share the same fate as the Ariel and Little Belt.
Conclusion
Though the battle did result in an American victory, both sides can be commended for their respective actions. The American commanders were able to repeat a decisive victory, whereas the British commanders fared somewhat better than their historical counterparts.
Hats off to all participants!
Next Naval Action
Genesee River : September 11, 1813 - To be tabled at CanalCon II (June 25, 2005)
