"We have met the enemy and they are ours". (Millette 107) This famous quotation refers to a Battle that was more important than winning just a battle, it meant winning back the control of the Great Lakes. Whoever controlled the lake had a fastermode of troop transport and keeping troops supplied. (Coles 120).
The Americans and the British each inaugurated a vigorous program to build a squadron on Lake Erie. The Americans moved their naval base from Black Rock to Erie, Pa, where a long, sandy island called Presque Isle protected a shallow bay. (Coles 123) In February 1813, Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry was selected to command the squadron being built. (Millette 107) The British Navy had taken control of the Great Lakes, and it allowed the British toops to take control of Fort Dearborn, Detroit, and other land south of the Great Lakes. (Garraty 190).
Perry spent several months at Presque Isle, at Erie, Pa. Here, Daniel Dobbins and other ship builders worked feverishly to build a fleet of ships suitable for challenging the British. Materials were taken locally and shipped in from various points on the East Coast, a feat that historian Samual Eliot Morison said was more impressive than the legendary ship builing of World War II. ( Coles 124).
While building the ships, Perry begged Captain Issac Chauncy to send him experienced seaman. In one of the letters he had wrote "Conceive my feelings: an enemy within striking distance, my vessels ready, and not men anough to man them" (Coles 125) Shortly after, on August 10th Jesse D. Elliott arrived with about 100 seaman. Perry placed Jesse on the Niagra and sailed westward onAugust 12th. (Coles 125) .
Perry sailed to Sandusky Bay were he held a conference with General Harrison and his principal subordinates. Harrison lent Perry 100 Kentucky marksmen. (Millette 107) British Commander Robert H. Barclay was also struggling with manpower and supply problems.
