Stephen Champlin and the Battle of Lake Erie-- Part 12: "Engage As You Come Up"

From John Lisle Commodore Stephen Champlin.

"On the 10th of September, while lying at anchor in Put-In-Bay, the enemy was discovered, at break of day, in the direction of Malden.  The signal was made at once to get under weigh.  At this time, the Niagara was in a situation to clear the islands before the Lawrence.  There was a light breeze from the southwest, and it was with great difficulty that the Lawrence was enabled to clear the islands to windward.

"When the enemy perceived this, he hove to, in a line, with his ships' heads to the westward.    The signal was now made by Commodore Perry:  'Engage as you come up, everyone against his opponent in the line before designated.'  The order for our squadron to close  was passed by trumpet through Captain Elliot.

"The situation of the Niagara should have been abreast of the Queen Charlotte, and of course, as close as she could get, as,  previous to the action, I had always understood, from Commodore Perry, that it was his intention to bring the enemy to close action in case of conflict."

--Brock-Perry