Oliver Hazard Perry, the great American naval officer and Rhode Islander, led the United States to victory on Lake Eerie in 1813 over the British, after building a fleet of eight ships. He motivated his men with a giant battle flag emblazoned with the dying words of his friend, James Lawrence: “Don’t Give Up The Ship!”

Lawrence, commanding the USS Chesapeake, uttered the words on June 1, 1813, as his men fought the HMS Shannon outside Boston. Lawrence who had served since 1798 in the Quasi-war with France and in the First Barbary War, died soon after and his ship was, indeed, seized.

Perry defeated the British even after his ship, the aptly named USS Lawrence, was shot to pieces and he had to transfer his command to the USS Niagara. Lawrence won the battle by copying Nelson’s tactic at Trafalgar of breaking and crossing the British line.

“We have met the enemy and they are ours; two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop”, Perry reported to his Army peer ashore, after the battle. The victory opened up Canada to invasion and protected Ohio from British and Indian invaders and marauders. 

The Perry battle flag is on display at Bancroft Hall at the Unites States Naval Academy. Honor and remember James Lawrence and Oliver Hazard Perry!