Perry, Oliver Hazard

Oliver Hazard (1785-1819), an American sailor. He was born at South Kingston, Rhode Island, and died at Port Spain, Trinidad. He was trained as a midshipman in the United States navy, and served in the Tripolitan War. In the War of 1812 he defeated the British in the celebrated battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813. He announced his victory to General Harrison in the oft quoted words, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." This victory enabled Harrison to invade Canada. Perry pursued Proctor's squadron up the Thames and won a second victory October 5, 1813, at Put-in-Bay, near Detroit. These victories were of great service in recovering possession of Michigan. At the close of the war Perry received a vote of thanks from Congress, a medal and the rank of captain. In 1905 three of Proctor's ships were found in the Thames. The red oak and walnut used in the construction of the hulls was found as sound as the day it was hewn from the forest. About two tons of cannon balls were found, but no cannon. It is supposed that the cannon were thrown overboard. One of the ships lay buried in a sand bank beneath eighteen feet of soil, 100 yards from the present center of the stream. A tree three feet in diameter was found growing above it.