Commodore Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie

September 10, 1813

The Battle of Lake Erie fought on the lake’s western end on September 10, 1813 near Put-in-Bay pitted American and British naval forces in a climatic struggle for control of the Great Lakes.  The battle became the most important and certainly the bloodiest naval engagement of the War of 1812, made a national hero of the American commander Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and added his motto “Don’t Give Up The Ship” to a lexicon of cherished American naval and military quotes.  The battle is largely remembered through a painting in the U.S. Capitol by W.H. Powell depicting Perry transferring his flag and command to the Niagara as his original flagship Lawrence lay crippled and blazing in the water.  In addition to the painting there is a diorama of the fighting at the Milwaukee Public Museum.  Both the painting and the diorama are commonly portrayed on postcards.  Additionally, monuments to Perry and his victory are found in a number of locations in Ohio and Pennsylvania.  Following is a work in progress checklist of known postcards portraying events, monuments and historical miscellany for Commodore Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie.

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