Battle of Lake Erie
Description:
At least fourteen ships are engaged in battle. Dark smoke billows up from the surface of the water on the left horizon line, spreading to either side of the sky and obscuring the entire top of the print. The horizon is low in this image, much like the horizon in Thomas Birch’s Battle of Lake Erie.The ships spew white puffs of cannon smoke toward their opponents; each side is clearly defined. There are no flags to identify the ships’ nationality. There is one row boat near the center that (according to the accompanying text) probably contains Commodore Oliver Perry. This text, “Perry’s Victory,” speaks of Perry leaving the disabled Lawrence and rowing towards the Niagra; coming aboard, he flies his flag and leads the rest of the fleet to victory over the British.
Copyright:
Copyright 2009, Department of Special Collections, Memorial Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Primary Works:
The American Naval and Patriotic Songster (Baltimore, 1831)
Accession Number:
PS595 H5 A4
Height (in centimeters):
6
Width (in centimeters):
10
Marks Description
In the bottom right corner: "Horton"Printing Context
This image was the title page illustration for The American Naval and Patriotic Songster (1831).Associated Events
The Battle of Lake Erie (10 Sept. 1813)Associated Places
The introduction to The American Naval and Patriotic Songster (1831) was written by "Jolly Tom" in Marine Hospital, a hospital for disabled seamen near Norfolk, VA.Associated Texts
ImagesWhat cheer, my Hearties! And how wears the world, messmates? ‘Tis the first time JOLLY TOM sends out his intended yearly cargo of Naval and other ditties, to cheer the hearts of all true TARS, and commemorate the gallant exploits of our brave countrymen. Why, now, here am I, old Tom, who have fought the enemy, yard-arm and yard-arm, and lost a pin in the service of his country. I am now laid up at Gosport Moorings, blessed with health and content, my children happy and my dear native land sheltered with Peace and Plenty—Why, now, messmate, what should an old fellow of 73 do, but, as the song says, “Tell old tales and chaunt of brother tars?” What signifies palaver, or argufies boasting; I was one of the lads that drank success to my country in the TOP of the TEA SHIP; my eyes, how we queered the lubbers! It was a daring business, but we were the lads that did it, and what can’t a Yankee sailor do?—When his country wants him, he’ll fight till the last glass, and sooner sink than run.Text accompanying Battle of Lake Erie, entitled “Perry’s Victory”:Well, to be sure, I’ve had thousands of jolly bouts, and been in engaged in many a bit of spree, in my time; but, tar me, Jack, if ever I struck to anything in my life, but to old age. You see that noble building near the shore—there, Jack, expect to weather the storm, and sing, “Yankee sailors have the knack, Haul away, ye ho, boys.”
When late Columbia’s patriot brave,
Sailed forth on Erie’s tranquil wave,
No hero yet had found a grave,
Within her watery cemetery.
But soon that wave was stained with gore,
And soon did every concave shore,
Re-echo with the dreadful roar,
Of thundering artillery.
Behold! Two hostile fleets appear,
The eager shouts of battle hear,
No heart is there appall’d by fear,
All pant for glorious victory.
His torch the God of Battles lights,
For naval glory Britain fights,
For ‘Freedom and the sailors’ rights,’
Columbia combats gallantly.
The Lawrence’s decks of strewed with dead,
And many a gallant spirit fled,
And many a hero’s nobly bled,
o win a wreath of victory.
Alas! And can no prowess save,
Our ship a wreck upon the wave,
And snatch the corses of the brave,
From an impious conqueror.
Ah, yes! That youth with eagle eye,
Though heaps of slain around him lie,
Though death and carnage will descry,
The path that leads to victory.
A soul like his no danger fears,
His pendant from the mast he tears,
And his gallant bosom bears,
To grace the bold Niagara.
See! See! He quits the Lawrence’s side,
And trusts him to the foaming tide,
Where thundering navies round him ride,
And flash their red artillery.
His oar each sturdy seaman plies,
He gains the deck! His pendent flies,
Triumphant shouts ascend the skies,
And rend the vaulted canopy.
‘The combat deepens on ye brave,
‘Who rush to glory or the grave,’
Columbia’s rights upon the wave,
Protect from proud Britannia.
Huzza! The tide of battles turns!
Now every hero’s bossom burns!—
‘Tis done:—again Britannia learns
To strike to great Columbia.
Barclay thy deed of glory done,
Thy laurels at Trafalgar won,
Shall now adorn our gallant son,
And signalize his victory.
His country shall with glory crown,
His deeds of empire and renown,
And history shall hand them down
To endless posterity.
Subject
This image depicts the Battle of Lake Erie, a major event and significant victory for the Americans during the War of 1812.Theme
Marine. Seascape. National pride. Battle.Significance
This image makes detailed use of smoke, shadow, and scale to emphasize the courage of the Americans and the justice of their cause. The "thundering artillery" of the song is depicted in the black mass of smoke that rises to tower over the battle, threatening to swallow the entire scene. The shadowed appearance of this smoke, most of which rises from the British fleet, emphasizes the destructive power of the enemy's artillery, and the highlighted smoke spewed by the cannons suggests the remarkable speed of the firing (the “flash” of the “red artillery” described in the song). The fact that the British fleet emits the majority of the smoke enforces the image of Britain as the arrogant aggressor; the American fleet, in contrast, fires much less smoke, and its status as just, wronged defender is enhanced by the American coastline in the background. This impresses upon the viewer the courage of Perry, scarcely visible, standing in the small row boat as he escapes a sinking ship to fight from the quarterdeck of another. The incredibly small size of the boat and the tiny figure of the man are menaced not only by the towering clouds, but by the depths of the lake at the bottom edge of the image; this shadowed deep participates in the same, threatening presence as the blackening smoke. Consequently, these shadows not only serve to give the painting a certain natural balance and to draw the eye to the lighter center of the image, but, more significantly, they draw a parallel between the hostile banks of smoke created by the British fleet and the unknown depths of Lake Erie. This emphasizes the power of Britain, the desperate situation of the American fleet, and the valor of the Perry, who manages to lead his ships to victory while caught between the threat of human destructiveness (the smoke) and the immense, unknown elements (the water). The entire image, then, emphasizes the tremendous effort and courage necessary on the part of the Americans to overcome desperate odds. This corresponds to the theme of the accompanying song: "Perry's Victory" dwells on the unlikelihood of the American victory in order to celebrate the ultimate triumph of the just cause, the defense of "freedom and sailors' rights" eventually overcoming the sordid British lust for "naval glory".Bibliography
By courtesy of the Department of Special Collections, Memorial Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison:Long Title
Without music; a few tunes indicated by title.Featured in Exhibit:
Engraver:
Image Date:
1831
Publisher:
P.N. Wood
