Millcreek Township near Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Son of the Sea

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2013

1. Son of the Sea Marker

Inscription.
Oliver Hazard Perry
(1785-1819) was born on August 23, 1785 in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. The son of a U.S. Navy captain, Perry joined the Navy at the age of 13, fighting Barbary pirates on the Mediterranean Sea. He commanded his first ship, the 14-gun schooner Revenge, at the age of 24.

1811 • Revenge is shipwrecked. Perry is cleared of blame.

1812 • Perry marries Elizabeth Champlin Mason

1813 • "Don't Give Up the Ship" is sewn onto Perry's personal battle flag.

1818 • Perry fights pistol duel with Captain John Heath. No one injured.

Hero of the Day
When the Navy Department placed Perry in charge of a squadron of small ships in Rhode Island, he longed for a more active post. His wish was fulfilled when in 1813, he was assigned command of the Lake Erie Squadron. Perry's heroic victory at the Battle of Lake Erie made him one of America's most famous naval officers.

The Luck of Perry
The term “Perry’s Luck" was coined to describe Perry’s repeated good fortune. Just when all seemed lost, events would turn in Perry's favor. From narrowly escaping the British fleet in a thick blanket of fog to raising a battle-ready squadron in Erie, Perry's Luck prevailed and would continue to follow him throughout

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the War of 1812.

Perry’s Final Voyage
Perry received a Congressional medal and was promoted to the rank of captain in 1814. Six years later, while on a diplomatic mission to Venezuela, Perry contracted yellow fever. He died on August 23, 1819 — his 34th birthday. While he was originally buried in Trinidad, his remains were eventually returned to Newport, Rhode Island. Perry's Luck had finally run out.

Did you know?
Perry was said to be deathly afraid of cows and would march hundreds of yards out of his way to avoid them.

Erected by Presque Isle Partnership, Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and Erie Community Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 42° 9.296′ N, 80° 5.38′ W. Marker is near Erie, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. It is in Millcreek Township. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Fisher Drive and Thompson Drive, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at the east end of the walking path to the Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument at Crystal Point in Presque Isle State Park, on the right (south) side of the walkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Erie PA 16507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

Son of the Sea Marker (<i>tall view; Commodore Perry Monument in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2013

2. Son of the Sea Marker (tall view; Commodore Perry Monument in background)

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tribute to a Hero (a few steps from this marker); Perry Monument: A Beacon of the Community (a few steps from this marker); From the Bay to the Battle (within shouting distance of this marker); Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); And the Misery begins… (within shouting distance of this marker); Erie's Industrial Explosion (within shouting distance of this marker); Fishing on the Sweet Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Preparing For Battle (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Erie.

More about this marker. Marker is a large, rectangular, composite plaque, mounted vertically on a waist-high post.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument, Presque Isle State Park

Also see . . . Oliver Hazard Perry: Later commands and controversies. For Perry, the post-war years were marred by controversies. In 1815, he commanded the Java in the Mediterranean during the Second Barbary War. While moored in Naples, Perry was provoked into slapping the commander of the ship's Marines, John Heath. The ensuing court-martial found both

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument (<i>this marker visible on right; related marker left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2013

3. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument (this marker visible on right; related marker left)

men guilty but levied only mild reprimands. After the crew returned home, Heath challenged Perry to a pistol duel, which was fought on October 19, 1817, on the same Weehawken, New Jersey, field where Aaron Burr shot Alexander Hamilton. Heath fired first and missed. Perry refused to fire, satisfying the Marine's honor. (Submitted on February 16, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 217 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 16, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.