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      Amherstburg was Britain's upper lakes naval base just before the Battle of Lake Erie, September 1813. The flagship HMS Detroit is anchored on the left and the ship-rigged corvette Queen Charlotte is anchored on the right.

      A busy pre-war view of the waterfront based on an 1804 map. The upbound schooner General Wilkenson passes several ships and a lumber raft.

     

      With anchored U. S. schooners providing close support, American infantry boats came ashore near Fort George at the mouth of the Niagara River. This successful amphibious attack provided a useful template for combined navy-army operations in the years to come.

      Perry has abandoned the Lawrence and has been taken by rowboat to assume command of the fresh brig Niagara, which is beginning to turn downwind. HMS Detroit (centre) is in the process of turning downwind herself, but will foul Queen Charlotte as she does so.

      In the September 28, 1813 engagement, the Wolfe ran downwind into Burlington Bay and sought refuge close to shore. The pattern of damage on the flagship meant that she could only follow the wind's direction after she had benefit. Contrary to some reports, recent research has indicated the the ships …

      During the American hunt for the Royal George early in the war, the U. S. Schooner Hamilton came across the tiny merchant schooner Two Brothers, on the morning of November 10, 1812, off the village of Bath, Ontario. When her owners realized she would be captured, they sabotaged the rigging, …

      In light winds, with all sail set, the flagship HMS Royal George ran for Kingston Harbour on the afternoon of November 10, 1812. Pursuing American schooners closed the distance under sweeps, but Royal George gained the protection of her port and shore batteries before they could catch her.

      The view about 3:00, as Niagara is "hove to," pouring carronade rounds into the enemy. Queen Charlotte is seen lowering her white ensign in surrender, with Detroit following suit shortly afterwards. As a tribute to his friend's dying words, you will see Perry's rallying call on the blue flag, "Don't …

      The bones of merchantmen ELLEN (rep. 100 tons) and MARY (rep. 60 tons) are still in the Thames silt, after participating in Procter's retreat. This ship could be either of those.

      In a rising easterly wind, the British flagship HMS Wolfe leads the British squadron out of York (Toronto) Harbour on the morning of September 28, 1813. The shoreline shows the damage from an American attack earlier in the year.

      At the climax of the September 18, 1813 battle on Lake Ontario, the Royal George (sunlit) prevents the American flagship General Pike from boarding the damaged British flagship HMS Wolfe. As the larger American ships towed their smaller counterparts, the Pike is seen towing the schooner USS Asp. This episode …

      Sunset following the Battle of Lake Erie, as all ships bury their dead at sea and begin repairs at anchor. The badly damaged U. S. brig Lawrence is seen in the foreground.

      Soldiers with lanterns patrol Fort Erie in deep snow. Fort Erie was the site of fierce fighting later in the war.

      Like the Nancy, the last hours of this hard-working ship were not pleasant as she tried to claw her way off the Lake Huron shore in 1816, worn out with a damaged main mast. Her crew ran her ashore at Southampton where her wreck was discovered covered in sand.

      In the early stages of the Battle of Lake Erie, General Hunter was stationed between the larger Queen Charlotte and the Detroit, shown here on the extreme left and right. The time is before 2:00 p.m., and the damaged General Hunter drifted out of line shortly after.

      British gunboats manoeuvring against American vessels in combat on the St. Lawrence. The foreground gunboat is similar to the only intact gunboat wreck remaining today, the Radcliffe, currently on exhibit at Fort Wellington in Prescott, Ontario. Gunboats played a game of cat and mouse along the river.

      The new British flagship the St. Lawrence is striking on October 23, 1814 in the late afternoon sunlight with HMS Netley as a dark contrast in the foreground. Other visible ships are Princess Charlotte, Prince Regent and Montreal.

      A view of the late 1814 British squadron underway on Lake Ontario. The ship-of-the-line St. Lawrence leads, followed by Prince Regent, Star, Princess Charlotte, Montreal, Toronto, Niagara, and Netley. Yeo's ships ruled Lake Ontario in the fall of 1814, while the Americans stayed in port building their response. Another year …