by James Thomas

Created on: November 04, 2009

During the war of 1812, the 27 year old Captain of the USS Lawrence, Oliver Hazard Perry, engaged 5 British ships on Lake Erie. The USS Niagara was also included in the battle group with the USS Lawrence but it did not engage in the Battle. All the while that Captain Perry was making strike after strike against the 5 British ships, the Niagara just kept her distance from the Battle but Perry would not quit.

Naval combat is brutal warfare, with no fox holes to dive into no place to run to and no place to find sanctuary. Captain Perry's ship suffered great losses but he would not quit. Three quarters of his crew were dead and he would not strike his colors. The USS Lawrence could not be steered any more and the British were still mercilessly bombarding him with more cannon balls. And the Niagara still kept her distance. But Perry would not quit.

Captain Perry took the few able men he still had and boarded the gig. He ordered his men to make for the Niagara. His ship was disabled, his men were dead and blood ran over his quarterdeck but he would not quit.

As his men rowed toward the Niagara, the British tried to shoot the gig out of the water but Captain Perry kept getting closer and closer to the Niagara. You can almost hear the laughter of sailors of the British ships as Perry and his men rowed toward the Niagara. But Perry would not quit.

Perry reaches the Niagara and boards her. Without any authority Perry commandeers the Niagara from her Captain and sails her into the British ships that have already suffered heavy damage by Perry's first engagement. The laughter turns to fear as this unstoppable man engages the British with a fresh ship and an inspired crew. Perry would not quit.

IS YOUR FAITH UNSTOPPABLE?

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. - 1 Tim 6:11-16 (KJV)

P.S. Perry won.

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