Life, 1898-06-16 · page 12 of 20
Life — June 16, 1898 — page 12: what you’re looking at
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# Analysis of "Our Flag Afloat" This page presents a historical narrative rather than satire. It chronicles Commodore Thomas MacDonough's naval victory on Lake Champlain during the War of 1812. The portrait shows MacDonough himself. The lower illustration depicts the "Battle of Lake Champlain," showing him directing cannon fire against British forces. The text emphasizes how MacDonough's superior seamanship and tactical foresight—particularly his use of a stream anchor and strategic positioning—enabled an outnumbered American force to defeat the British. This is celebratory military history, not political satire. Life magazine here functions as a patriotic publication showcasing American naval achievement. The content reflects early 20th-century American nationalism and pride in the navy's historical role.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
508 Our Flag Afloat. YARD-ARM HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY. By Midshipman Martinspie, VIL. ON LAKE CHAMPLATY. smained for Thomas MacDonough to put I touches to the British on Lake mplain, This young man was one of the heroes of th ition that had succeeded in burning the Philadelphia inthe harbor of Tripoli, and he was well qualifled for his task. His famous battle off Plattsburg took p just a year and a day later than Perry's gre vieto Tho English, having practically lost control of Lakes Ontario and Erie, made great preparations to capture Lake Champlain, and Sir James Yeo sont Captain Downte with a squadron to obtain possession. r George Provost was also seat with a force ,000 men to take Plattsburg, which was de- ut 3,000 Americans, MacDonough, after the usual delays and dis- couragements, flnully succeeded in building a ficot to repel tho enemy’s attack, and on Septem- ber 11, 1814, in his flagship the Saratoga, be lay off Plattsburg with three other vessels und t galleys. Downie, in bis flagship Consiance, with two other vessels and twelve gunboats, appeared in sight at 8 a.m. It is unney y to state that the British force was superior to ours, not only in guns, but in men, and the result was what might have been expeeted. The battle was docided by the two flagships. As the Confiance approached, MacDonough kneeled on the Sara- toga’s deck and took careful aim with a twenty-four-pounder. Tho shot raked the Confiance. Almost at this moment a cock on the Sara- toga’s deck was released from his coop by a shot from the enemy, He flew up on one of the guns and crowed with all his might, This incident inspired the men, and they at it hammer and tongs. The day was won, howover, not 80 much by pure bravery us by Mac- Donough's seamanship and foresight. These qualities have won more of our battles than anything else, See Hull, De- eatur, Bainbridge, Truxton, Porter, Far- ragut and Dewey. MaeDonough not only carefully arranged his line of battle, but be provided kedges in advance, so that if the Saratoga should loso the use of her starboard broadside, he could swing her around and bring her port broad- side to bear, The enemy's fire was 80 hot that this is pro- sely what happened, and then at the critical mo- ment MacDonough, by the use of a stream anchor and hawser, brought the Saratoga around, and poured in such a deadly fire that the enemy was Battle of Lake Champlain.—MacDonough pointing the gun.