316 Naval War of 1812 



heavy gun, assisted only by the purser and chaplain. 

 A man who did not possess his indomitable spirit 

 would have then struck. Instead, however, although 

 failing in the attack so far, Perry merely determined 

 to win by new methods, and remodeled the line ac- 

 cordingly. Mr. Turner, in the Caledonia, when or- 

 dered to close, had put his helm up, run down on the 

 opposing line, and engaged at very short range, 

 though the brig was absolutely without quarters. 

 The Niagara had thus become the next in line astern 

 of the Lawrence, and the sloop Trippe, having 

 passed the three schooners in front of her, was next 

 ahead. The Niagara now, having a breeze, steered 

 for the head of Barclay's line, passing over a quarter 

 of a mile to windward of the Lawrence, on her port 

 beam. She was almost uninjured, having so far 

 taken very little part in the combat, and to her Perry 

 shifted his flag. Leaping into a row boat, with his 

 brother and four seamen, he rowed to the fresh brig, 

 where he arrived at 2.30, and at once sent Elliott 

 astern to hurry up the three schooners. The Trippe 

 was now very near the Caledonia. The Lawrence, 

 having but 14 sound men left, struck her colors, but 

 could not be taken possession of before the action re- 

 commenced. She drifted astern, the Caledonia pass- 

 ing between her and her foes. At 2.45 the 

 schooners having closed up, Perry in his fresh ves- 

 sel, bore up to break Barclay's line. 



The British ships had fought themselves to a 

 standstill. The Lady Prevost was- crippled and 

 sagged to leeward, though ahead of the others. The 



