Battle of Lake Erie
On September 10, 1813, Commodore Perry defeated the British fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie. A victorious Perry sent his famous message to his commander: "We have met the enemy and they are ours".
Oliver Hazard Perry, the commander of American naval forces on Lake Erie, was tasked with securing naval dominance on the lake. To achieve this objective, Perry constructed two new brigs, the Lawrence and the Niagara. Each vessel, weighing 500 tons, was equipped with 18 32-pound carronades and two long-range twelve-pounder cannons. Additionally, Perry had captured the brig Caledonia and seven converted schooners.
On September 10, 1813, the British fleet decided to engage the American fleet anchored at South Bass Island. The Americans held a numerical and weight advantage in their artillery. Each American vessel had been assigned an opponent, and after several hours of sailing, the two fleets were within range of each other. The Niagara and the Lawrence advanced upon the British and compelled them to surrender. Perry famously declared, “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”