262 Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie ,1813

262. Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie ,1813

But the British triumph did not last long . In the winter of 1812-13 Cap - tain Oliver Hazard Perry built a fleet of warships on Lake Erie . They were built of green timber cut for the purpose . They were poor vessels , but were as good as the British vessels . In Septem - ber ,1813, Perry sailed in search of the British ships . coming up with them , he hoisted at his masthead a large blue flag with Lawrence ＇ s immortal words ," Don ＇ t give up the ship ＂( p .212), worked upon it . The battle was fiercely fought . Soon Perry ＇ s flagship , the Lawrence , was dis - abled and only nine of her crew were uninjured . Rowing to another ship , Perry continued the fight . In fifteen minutes more al the British ships surrendered . The control of Lake Erie was now in American hands . The British retreated from the southern side of the lake . Gen - eral Harrison occupied Detroit . He then crossed into Canada and defeated a British army on the banks of the river Thames ( October ,1813).