Jesse Elliott, USN-- Part 4: The Battle of Lake Erie (Commendation, Then Censure)

In the center of the American battleline, the Niagara was astern of the USS Caledonia, which in turn was astern of the USS Lawrence, Perry's flagship.  During the early stages of the battle, the Lawrence fought alone against several of the bigger British ships and took a pounding.  The Niagara was little engaged.

After the Lawrence was battered into a wreck, Perry rowed over to the Niagara and took command to continue fighting.  (That incident is pictured  at the right of the entries.)

Then Elliott was dispatched by boat  to urge the smaller American gunboats at the rear of the battleline to close in for action.

The battle ended with a complete American victory and surrender of the entire British squadron.

Elliott earned distinction for his role in the battle and official praise from Perry and was given command of the Lake Erie American squadron the following month.

There was, nevertheless, some controversy over Elliott's role in the battle.    Some (including Perry) suspected that he had deliberately held the Niagara out of the battle in its early stages.  The two men would feud over this for the rest of their lives.

--Brock-Perry

Stephen Champlin and the Battle of Lake Erie-- Part 14: The USS Lawrence Put Out of Action

"She still, however, held out for more than two hours, within canister shot distance, the Niagara remaining a long way astern, siring at long shot from her 12 pounder.  A short time before Commodore Perry's going aboard of her, she ranged ahead of the Lawrence, and to windward of her, thus bringing the commodore's ship between her and the enemy, when she might have passed to the leeward, and relieved the Lawrence from the destructive  fire of the enemy;...

"the wind  being at the time southeast, when,  the American squadron steering large, with the exception of the Lawrence, she being entirely disabled, and lying like a log on the water, the Caledonia took and maintained her station on a line which was just astern of the commodore during the whole of the action."

What Was With the USS Niagara?  --Brock-Perry

Stephen Champlin and the Battle of Lake Erie-- Part 13: The Battle Begins

"About 12 o'clock the enemy commenced action by throwing a 24 pound shot at the Lawrence.  At this time the Scorpion was hailed and directed to return the fire with her long guns.  The second shot from the Detroit passed through both bulwarks of the Lawrence, and the fire was immediately returned, and kept up in a most gallant style, followed by the Caledonia, under command of Lieutenant Turner, and supported by the Ariel, Lieutenant Packet, and the Scorpion, ahead upon her weatherbow.

""The Queen Charlotte made sail and closed up with the Detroit, shortly after the action commenced, and directed her fire at the Lawrence.  It seemed to be the enemy's plan to destroy the commodore's ship (the Lawrence), and then cut up the fleet in detail..

"For this purpose, their heaviest fire was directed at the Lawrence.  Commodore Perry made every effort to close with the enemy, but the tremendous fire to which he was exposed cut away every brace and bowline, and soon rendered the Lawrence unmanageable."

--Brock-Perry

U.S. Navy Ships at the Battle of Lake Erie-- Part 2: Long Guns and Carronades

Name--   classification---  armament--   fate

Long guns are regular cannons and good for long range firing.

CALEDONIA--  brig--   2 long guns, 1 carronade--  1830 either sank or was dismantled

NIAGARA--  brig--  2 long guns, 18 carronade--  present day used as a sailing school.  (Original ship?)

SOMERS--   schooner--   1 long gun, 1 carronade--   unknown

PORCUPINE--   schooner--  1 long gun--    1873 beached

TIGRESS--   schooner--  1 long gun--  1815 sunk

TRIPPE--  sloop--   1 long gun--  1813 burnt by British

Totals:  9 ships--  15 long guns, 39 carronades

--Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: British Forces Enter Plattsburg, New York

SEPTEMBER 6, 1814:  British forces enter Plattsburg, New York.

Also, a gale on Lake Erie drives the USS Caledonia ashore and caused afire which has significant damage before being extinguished.

--Brock-Perry