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

Making of the Flag "Don't Give Up The Ship"

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel

1. Making of the Flag "Don't Give Up The Ship" Marker

Inscription. Steadfast in the face of war in the summer of 1813, seven brave Erie women stitched the flag that Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry carried into battle. British ships were on Lake Erie poised for attack. Although many fled south, Margaret Forster Steuart, her sister Dorcas, and five nieces remained to complete this rallying banner. The flag is preserved at the US Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis, Md., and its words have become a Navy motto.

Erected 2016 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), and the Vexillology series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.

Location. 42° 8.228′ N, 80° 5.231′ W. Marker is in Erie, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. It can be reached from Blasco Street. Located behind the Erie Maritime Museum at the Flagship Niagara. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 E Front Street, Erie PA 16507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

It is also in the American Northeast,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: African American Sailors in the Battle of Lake Erie (here, next to this marker); Flagship Niagara (a few steps from this marker); Paul Allman Siple

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); USS Michigan Anchor (about 300 feet away); William Leverett Morrison (about 400 feet away); Erie 9-11 Memorial (about 400 feet away); Hero of Gettysburg (about 500 feet away); Freshwater Fishing Capital (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Erie.

Also see . . . Object 11: Don't Give Up The Ship Flag. A History of the Navy in 100 Objects (Submitted on November 26, 2016.)

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2025

2. Making of the Flag "Don't Give Up The Ship" Marker

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 16, 2025

3. Making of the Flag "Don't Give Up The Ship" Marker

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel

4. Making of the Flag "Don't Give Up The Ship" Marker

Flagship Niagara in the background

Replica of the "Don't Give Up The Ship" Flag image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 8, 2025

5. Replica of the "Don't Give Up The Ship" Flag

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,269 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 26, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2, 3. submitted on July 18, 2025, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on November 26, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on July 18, 2025, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.