USS Trippe-- Part 3: Battle of Lake Erie and Aftermath

When Commodore Barclay's British fleet left the Detroit River to deliver supplies to British soldiers, the American fleet came out and offered battle.

The American fleet outnumbered the British 9 ships to 6, but were outgunned 63-54.

With battle engaged, the British concentrated their fire on the lead American ships: the Lawrence, Caledonia and Niagara.  The Trippe was at the end of the American line and fought a long range duel with the HMS Lady Prevost and Little Belt and put the Prevost out of action.

The USS Lawrence was also battered by British fire, forcing Perry to leave it and continue the fight from the Niagara.  The Trippe charged into the fray.  The British ships were forced to surrender one by one.  When the Cheppeway and Little Belt attempted to flee, the USS Trippe and Scorpion chased them down for a complete sweep as Perry so happily reported.

The Battle of Lake Erie was the Trippe's only engagement in the war.  For the rest of its career it carried supplies to support General William Harrison's land operations.

In October the British attacked Buffalo and captured the city.  They found the Trippe aground near Buffalo Creek and set fire to her, burning the ship completely.

--Brock-Perry