The Battle of Lake Erie Trivia Quiz

Answer: Oliver Hazard Perry

Oliver Hazard Perry was born on August 23rd, 1785 in South Kingston, Rhode Island. Oliver was the eldest of eight children.

Answer: South Bass Island

The Americans left from Put-in-Bay, which was near the middle of South Bass Island, in the morning. Rattle Snake Island did not get it's name from its in-inhabitance but for it's shape. It is very twisted and at both ends the trees look like heads.

Answer: True

The British long guns could fire up to a half a mile but the American cannonades could only fire less then that. During the battle if a cannon ball, grape shot, or chain shot hit a ship, huge wooden splinters wood hit the men on the ship.

Answer: Lawrence

In the first 2 1/2 hours of intense battle between the U.S.S. Lawrence, HMS Detroit, and HMS Queen Charlotte the U.S.S. Lawrence became battered and destroyed. Knowing that fact, Oliver Hazard Perry transfered to the Niagara and continued to fight.

Answer: "Don't Give Up The Ship"

The flag was lowered down from the Lawrence by a lucky farmer from Maine who was standing right next to the flag when the orders were given to transfer it to the Niagara. The flag was blue and had the words "Don't Give Up The Ship" in white fabric.

Answer: True

The reason the surgeons were above the water line was because the ships were made to accommodate with the low water levels of Lake Erie. Their were many reports of lost legs, and arms. For example a man named Thomas Claxton was struck by a cannon ball that took all the bones in his shoulder with it.

Answer: Queen Charlotte and Detroit

The reason for the collision was that almost every senior British officer was either killed or wounded so junior officers were forced to take over which caused much miscommunication. Later in the battle the ships became detached and tried to fight back but were too damaged to fight.

Answer: Chippawa and Little Belt

The Chippawa and the Little Belt were both schooners that were 2 of 6 main British ships. The Scorpion and the Trippe went after the 2 British ships but were only able to fire a few shots.

Answer: We have met the enemy and they are ours

The letter was written on the back of an envelope and read: Dear General: We have met the enemy and they are ours: Two Ships, two Brigs, one Schooner & one Sloop. Yours with great respect and esteem O.H. Perry. After he wrote that letter he wrote another but it was much longer.

Answer: 352 feet

The memorial is taller then the Statue of Liberty and is located on South Bass Island. It is a Greek column made of mostly Granite.