Battle of Lake Erie
The Battle of Lake Erie was a major U.S. naval victory in the War of 1812, ensuring U.S. control over the lake and precluding any territorial cession to Great Britain in the peace settlement. On September 10 1813, Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry’s fleet of nine ships engaged six British warships under Capt. Robert Heriot Barclay. After Perry’s flagship, Lawrence suffered heavy casualties and had been reduced to a defenseless wreck, he transferred to a sister ship, Niagara. He led his forces directly into the British line, firing broadsides and forcing their surrender. The British lost 40 men, with 94 wounded; the Americans lost 27 killed and 96 wounded. The destruction of the British squadron on Lake Erie reversed the course of the northwest campaign and forced the British to abandon Detroit.
