Overview:
At dawn on the morning of September 10, 1813, a lookout spotted six British vessels to the northwest of Put-in-Bay in western Lake Erie. Immediately Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry issued a flurry of orders and made preparations to sail forth to engage the British. What ensued would be one of the bloodiest naval actions in America’s young history.
By 3:00 p.m. the U.S. naval squadron had won a complete victory over its opponent with Perry writing the famous phrase to General William Henry Harrison: "Dear General: We have met the enemy and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop. Yours with great respect and esteem, O.H. Perry."
The Battle of Lake Erie proved to be one of the most resounding naval triumphs of the War of 1812. The victory secured control of the lake, forcing the British to abandon its base at Fort Malden and retreat up the Thames River. General Harrison’s land force pursued, decisively defeating the small British army and its allied Indian force on October 5, 1813 at the Battle of the Thames. Later, during the peace talks, the dual victories of Lake Erie and the Thames insured that the states of Ohio and Michigan would remain the sovereign territory of the United States of America.
Gallery
Directions
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (IPM) is located within the Village of Put-in-Bay. Put-in-Bay is located on South Bass Island and is most often accessible by ferry boats, airplanes, airboats, and private boats. Several taxi companies and island tour trains are available for travel around the island. There is also a bus line that runs between the Miller Boat Line dock and the village of Put-in-Bay. The Jet Express docks are within walking distance of the village of Put-in-Bay and Perry’s Victory & IPM.
Plane
Griffing Island Flying Service (419-626-5161): Year round transit to Put-in-Bay and all of the Lake Erie Islands from Port Clinton and Sandusky. Reservations are required.
Private Planes may land at Put-in-Bay Airport. It is open daily from dawn to dusk. A small parking fee is charged.
Car
If you are traveling east, use Ohio Turnpike (I 80-90) to US 250. Take US 250 north to State Route 2 west. Take State Route 2 west and follow directions below for the Jet Express or Miller Boat Line.
If you are traveling west, use Ohio Turnpike (I 80-90) to State Route 53. Take State Route 53 north to State Route 2 east. Take State Route 2 east and follow directions below for the Jet Express or Miller Boat Line.
Boat
Mooring/Docks, hail the harbor master on marine channel 16 when in Put-in-Bay Harbor, South Bass Island.
Ferry Service
From Port Clinton: The Jet Express passenger ferry, take State Route 2 to State Route163 (Perry Street)/Port Clinton exit and follow the signs to the Jet Express.
From Sandusky: The Jet Express passenger ferry, take State Route 2 to State Route 250 North/Sandusky exit and follow the signs to the Jet Express.
From Kelly’s Island: The Jet Express passenger ferry from public dock on Kelly’s Island to Put-in-Bay or Sandusky.
From Catawba Island: Miller Boat Line passenger and vehicle ferry, take State Route 2 to State Route 53 North/Catawba Island exit and to the Miller Boat Line.
From Middle Bass Island: Sunny S passenger ferry from the public dock on Middle Bass Island to The Boardwalk Restaurant dock, Put-in-Bay.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 41° 39′ 14.7600″ N
Longitude 82° 48′ 40.6800″ W