Life, 1898-06-09 · page 14 of 20
Life — June 9, 1898 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page commemorates Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's naval victory during the War of 1812. The top illustration shows Perry leaving the USS Lawrence during the Battle of Lake Erie (September 1813), when his flagship was damaged. The bottom image depicts his decisive victory over British forces. The text describes Perry's struggles: lack of crew despite enemy ships nearby, illness from lake fever, and supply problems. However, he persevered, gathered men, and confronted the British fleet at Put-in Bay. His famous rallying cry—"Are you ready, boys?"—exemplifies American determination. For modern readers: this celebrates American naval prowess and Perry's leadership during early American military history. The "old print" reference indicates Life magazine was reprinting historical material to commemorate past American achievement, likely during a period when such patriotic references were valued.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
water, his necessities compel- ling him to float them over with barges. Then he had no men to man them. Then he was taken sick with lake fever, and in July, in this condition, he had ‘written to Chauncey: The enemy's fleet are now off the bar... . Conceive my feel- ings. Au enemy within striking distance, my vessels ready, and not men enough to man them! In the meantime the enemy had sailed away to Malden, and Perry, finally succeeding in getting crews, bad followed, and his ficet, stationed at Put-in Bay, waited for the British, Now they were in sight, and his opportunity had come. He walked around by the guns and encouraged his men. ‘*Are you ready, boys?” he asked in turn, Perry's Victory. From an old print,