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Namesake
Oliver Hazard Perry (20 August 1785 - 23 August 1819) was born at Rocky Point, South Kingston RI and was appointed Midshipman 7 April 1799, serving in revenue cutter General Green during the Naval War with France. He fought in frigates Adam and Constellation during the Barbary Wars. In the War of 1812, Perry constructed and commanded a fleet of American warships on Lake Erie. When his flagship Lawrence was shattered and sinking in the Battle of Lake Erie, Perry fired her last effective gun, took his battle flag, and rowed across shot-splashed waters to Niagara where he fought on to victory, and reported, "We have met the enemy and they are ours..." The victory gave the United States control of Lake Erie and enabled Perry and General Harrison to take a large part of Canadian territory which helped American Commissioners at Ghent to negotiate a treaty favorable to the United States. When peace was restored, Perry commanded frigate Java in the Mediterranean. In May 1819 he went to Venezuela to seek help in protecting American ships off the northern coast of South America, waters then plagued by pirates. After sailing to the Spanish Main in John Adams, he ascended the Orinoco River in Nonsuch. At Angostura, Perry succeeded in negotiating a favorable treaty, but contracted fever and died 23 August 1819. |
Bill Gonyo |
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USS Commodore Perry at anchor on the James River, VA., sometime between October, 1861 and June, 1865.
Library of Congress photos |
Bill Gonyo and
Mike Green |
LC-B811-2864 (Lot 4182 no. 7) |
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A boat crew from USS Commodore Perry taking several ship's officers ashore, date and location unknown.
Photo from the collections of the Library of Congress |
Bill Gonyo |
098618403 |
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Sketch by William Waud of USS Commodore Perry at anchor in the Appomattox River below Port Walthal, Chesterfield County, VA.
Harper's Weekly, July 23, 1864, page 468 |
Tommy Trampp |
