War of 1812 Bicentennial
Navy Week in Cleveland

The War of 1812 has particular significance to the Great Lakes region. It was one of the three principle theaters of the war between the US and Britain.

On Lake Erie, American commander Captain Oliver Hazard Perry fought the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. His decisive victory ensured American control of the lake, improved American morale after a series of defeats, and compelled the British to fall back from Detroit. This paved the way for General Harrison to launch another invasion of Upper Canada, which culminated in the U.S. victory at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813, in which Tecumseh was killed.

Tecumseh's death effectively ended the North American indigenous alliance with the British in the Detroit region. American control of Lake Erie meant the British could no longer provide essential military supplies to their aboriginal allies, who therefore dropped out of the war. The Americans controlled the area during the conflict.

War of 1812 POWs

At Navy Week 2012 in Cleveland, Master Chief Jeff Ryan of the US Coast Guard demonstrated some of the navigational gear used during the War of 1812 including an Octant and Traverse Board and the roots of the expressions Deep Six and Mark Twain.

Master Chief Jeff Ryan of the US Coast Guard

Others demonstrated uniforms and firearms from the war.

War of 1812 uniforms and rifles

Steve Roberts of Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial showed a 32lb carronade cannon that is a replica of the one used by Oliver Hazard Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.

Steve Roberts of
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial

Carronade Cannon

A full event schedule is available at www.navyweek.org/cleveland2012 and www.OurFlagWasStillThere.org.

Navy Week Cleveland 2012 main page

War of 1812 history, gear and cannon (this page)

Ships at Navy Week Cleveland

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War of 1812 Bicentennial Navy Week in Cleveland

War of 1812 Bicentennial
Navy Week in Cleveland