“Famous for his legendary “Don’t Give Up the Ship” naval banner run up during the savage fighting on Lake Erie, Perry’s name would one day grace an entire class of modern warship.”
OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, one of the United States Navy’s most famous commanders, is best remembered for his exploits during the War of 1812.
Not only did Perry, just 26 at the time, organize the construction of a naval squadron on the remote frontier backwater of Lake Erie, the following year he sailed that same fleet to victory against the mighty British, thereby seizing control of the vital inland waterway and shifting the balance of the war to the United States.
Famous for his tenacity, embodied by his legendary “Don’t Give Up the Ship” naval banner run up during the savage fighting on Lake Erie, more than 150 years later, Perry’s name would grace an entire class of modern warship.
Erie, Pennsylvania’s The Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to secure the decommissioned USS Halyburton (FFG-40), one of the 51 Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigates built for the U.S. Navy, through the service’s ship donation process and install it as a museum ship in Erie. As the hero of the Battle of Lake Erie, Perry’s legacy is closely connected with the essence of the Perry Shipyard and its mission to honor veterans of the U.S. armed forces who served with distinction by providing them with a historic Navy vessel that reflects the important maritime history of Erie and Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Here are some things you may not know about Perry’s impact on the modern Navy and, more broadly, his pivotal role in American history.
Oliver Hazard Perry came from a family with ties to the Navy.
Oliver Hazard Perry was born Aug. 23, 1785, in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, to a family with strong ties to the navy. His father, Christopher Raymond Perry, served as a privateer during the American Revolution and as a captain in the navy during the Quasi-War with France. Matthew Perry, his brother, played a critical role in sailing to Japan and opening it to trade with the West.
Perry became a midshipman at the age of 13.
Oliver spent his youth sailing with his father and learned how to work a ship from a young age. On April 7, 1799, Perry, just 13, became a midshipman. Over the next six years, he participated in the Quasi-War with France and the Tripolitan War against the Barbary pirates.
Perry was promoted to Master Commandant in the Navy at age 26.
After working as a midshipman, Perry returned to Rhode Island to supervise construction of a flotilla of small gunboats. In March 1812, Perry commanded a squadron of gunboats at Newport, Rhode Island, and received a promotion to master commandant, equal to the Royal Navy rank of master and commander.
In 1813, Perry was given command of naval forces in the Great Lakes area and appointed to supervise the building of the American fleet in what is now Erie.
President James Madison recognized the value of Lake Erie in the War of 1812 and shortly after the outbreak of hostilities, he ordered the construction of a fleet there. Perry was chosen to command this effort. Upon arrival at Presque Isle, there was no American fleet at all, while the British already had eight vessels. At this time, Erie was a small village with no industrial capabilities, so Perry had to acquire construction materials from elsewhere. Yet, by August, he had nine ships, with the 490-ton brigs Lawrence and Niagara being the largest.
Perry led the American fleet to victory in the Battle of Lake Erie, a turning point in the War of 1812.
On Sept. 10, 1813, the American fleet under command of Master Commandant Perry came out to fight. Within hours the American ships had taken on and defeated the British at the Battle of Lake Erie. The victory allowed the U.S. to gain control of Lake Erie, preventing the British from penetrating deep into the continent. Before this triumph, American troops had suffered multiple defeats at the hands of King George’s forces resulting in diminished morale. This victory inspired the nation; others soon followed.
Known for his leadership skills and abilities to raise a crew of inexperienced sailors, Perry instilled discipline in his men that is part of his legacy in the Navy today.
In addition to his seafaring skills, Perry possessed an uncanny ability to pick the right man for the right job and turn groups of novices into crews of sailors. When Perry first arrived in Erie in 1812, he was unfamiliar with the area and was tasked with training men, most of whom had no knowledge of ship navigation. He was firm in his discipline, insisting everyone perform their duties without friction. There is frequent reference to “Perry’s Luck,” as this approach and an orderly mind proved to be successful throughout his career.
Perry is remembered for his “Don’t Give Up the Ship” battle flag, which serves as the rallying cry for the Navy today.
As a tribute to the final words of his colleague Captain James Lawrence of the USS Chesapeake, killed in June of 1813 in a naval battle in Boston Harbor, Perry enlisted a group of Erie women to sew a battle flag emblazoned with the words, “Don’t Give Up the Ship.” Lawrence issued the plea to his crew during the clash with HMS Shannon. The flag became a symbol of victory and perseverance when it flew over Perry’s flagship, the USS Lawrence, as the American fleet defeated the Royal Navy. He transferred the pennant to the brig Niagara after abandoning the Lawrence in the thick of the fighting during the Battle of Lake Erie.
In 1814, Perry received a Congressional Gold Medal for his service in the Navy.
Perry was honored with a Congressional Gold Medal, the Thanks of Congress, and a promotion to the rank of full captain for his efforts in the Battle of Lake Erie.
He died at age 34 from yellow fever.
Six years after his victory on Lake Erie, Perry succumbed to yellow fever near Trinidad. He succumbed while at sea on a special diplomatic mission to Venezuela on behalf of the United States.
The Navy honored Perry by naming several ships and classes of ships after him.
As early as the USS Perry in 1843, Oliver Hazard Perry has been honored with ships bearing his name. There have since been several ships and classes of ships named after him, including the USS Perry (DD-11), a Bainbridge-class destroyer (1900–1919); the USS Perry (DD-844), a Gearing-class destroyer (1945–1970); and the USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7), a guided-missile frigate (1976–1997), and the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, of which it was a member. The Navy built 51 Perry-class frigates, with the first entering service in 1977 and the last being retired in 2015.
The Perry Shipyard would offer a unique view into the technology and history of the Navy, as well as insight into the significance of the Battle of Lake Erie and Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry to our country’s security and history. If you are interested in learning more about the project or wish to make a donation to help bring the USS Halyburton to Erie, please visit PerryShipyard.org.
