"Log of the Battle of Lake Erie"

Appeared on the front page of "The Erie Dispatch" July 12, 1913:

The log was kept by William Taylor, sailing master of the Lawrence, who was wounded in the battle, but remained on deck during the entire engagement. The entries in the log, so far as they relate to the battle, are as follows:

Friday morning, the 10th

At daylight discovered the enemy's fleet in then. N.W. (Northwest). Made the signal immediately to the Squadron all underway working out to windward of Snake (Rattlesnake) Island to keep the weather gauge. Wind at S. W. (from the south west).

At 7 discovered the whole of the enemy's Squadron, Two Ships, Two Brigs, one Schooner and one Sloop, with their larboard tacks aboard, to the westward, about ten miles distant.

At 10 cleared away Snake (Rattlesnake Island) and formed in order of battle, "Lawrence" ahead; bore up for the enemy and called all hands to quarters.

At 1/4 before meridian the enemy commenced the action at about a mile distant, ordered the "Scorpion," who was on our weather bow, to fire on the enemy; the "Lawrence" endeavored to close with them as fast as possible and at Meridian commenced the action on out part. Light wind and fair weather, sea smooth, Western Sister two miles to the Sd. and Wd. (southward and westward).

At 1/2 past Mer. within musket shot of the enemy's new ship "Detroit" at this time they opened a most destructive fire upon the "Lawrence" from their whole Squadron. Continued to near them as fast as possible.

At half past 1 P. M. So entirely disabled that we could work the brig no longer. Called the men from the tops and the marines to work the guns. At this time our braces, bowlines, sheets, and in fact, almost every strand of rigging cut off. Mast and Spars cut through in various places.

At 2 P. M. most of the guns dismounted, breaching gone, carriages knocked to pieces. Called the few surviving men from the first division to man the guns aft.

At half past 2 P. M. when not another gun could be fired or worked from the "Lawrence" Captain Perry determined on leaving her; he took some hands in the first cutter and went on board the "Niagara," About ten minutes after Capt. Perry got on board of the "Niagara" Lieuts. Yarnall and Forest and Sailing Master Taylor concluded, as no further resistance could be made from this brig, and to save the further effusion of human blood, agreed (sic) to haul down our colors. Immediately after Caption Perry took charge of the "Niagara" all possible sail was made to close with the enemy and in fifteen minutes Captain Perry passed through the British Squadron, having the "Detroit","Queen Charlotte" and a brig on the Starboard Side and a brig on the larboard and silenced their fire.

10 minutes before 3 P. M. they hauled down their colors. A few minutes past three the firing ceased, when the whole fleet was brought to anchor. Employed through the night securing prisoners and repairing rigging etc.

Saturday, the 11th

At 9 A. M. weighed with the whole fleet and stood for Put-In-Bay.

At Meridian came to in 5 fathoms water winds light and westerly. Employed with some hands from the other vessels fitting our masts, two lower yards, main boom; got down top gallant yards masts and rigging flying jib boom cleaning the ship and taking care of the sick and wounded. Fresh breezes from the West through the night.

Sunday, the 12th

At 5 A. M. blowing quite a gale veered out 40 fathoms of cable and struck lower yards. Variously employed: cleared our decks, attending the wounded and sick. Buried the deceased officers, American and English with honors of war. In consequence of the gale this morning the "Queen Charlotte" struck adrift and got foul of the "Detroit" all their masts being nearly cue off in the engagement, they fell by the board, except the "Queen's" formast. Employed cleaning and fumigating the ship, clearing decks taughtening rigging etc. Light wind and fair weather, hove in the cable.

Monday, the 13th