A Moment on a Tall Ship on Lake Erie

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and Great Lakes speaker. She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures exploring the Great Lakes and has written three books about the Great Lakes [A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach *a Heartland Indie Bestseller*, A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Walk *winner of the Great Lakes Great Reads Award*, and A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Island Adventure]. To learn more about her work, or to book her as a speaker, go to http://LakeTrek.com

Here is a moment during the reenactment of the Battle of Lake Erie. Fifteen tall ships gathered near the Lake Erie Islands to go through the motions of that fateful battle in 1813.

The American Navy was victorious. This was the first battle that the British Navy lost. All their ships were captured.

Oliver Hazard Perry reported the results of the battle to his commander with the famous line:

"We have met the enemy...

and they are ours."

I was honored to be part of this reenactment and my account of that day -- along with the historic account from 1813 -- can be found in my third book, A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Island Adventure.

The Battle of Lake Erie!!

The Niagara

My current adventure has transported me off the shoreline and out onto the ISLANDS within our Great Lakes.


This Labor Day, I traveled to South Bass Island's Put-in-Bay to take part in the bicentennial reenactment of the Battle of Lake Erie. This naval engagement between the Americans and British was a turning point in the War of 1812.

Sixteen tall ships gathered in Lake Erie for this event which was the largest reenactment of a naval battle in American history.

Cannon fire!

My ship had a tiny cannon

It was fascinating to take part in this Great Lakes event.

The Lynx

The Niagara fires from both sides

"We have met the enemy, and they are OURS!"

Check out the video below for glimpses of the action!

{This experience will be part of my next book

A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes

ISLAND ADVENTURE!

Due to be released in 2015.

The Battle of Lake Erie Reenactment

"I am Josiah Briggs!"

...or I will be him (briefly) for the historic reenactment of the Battle of Lake Erie this Labor Day! Josiah Briggs was an American private who served on the schooner Scorpion in this historic naval battle. 

This historic clash marked the first time the British Navy ever lost a battle. The Americans captured the entire squadron of British ships.

Commodore Perry wrote the famous message to his superiors to tell of the Victory:

"We have met the enemy and they are ours!"

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial on South Bass Island

It is perfect timing to have this historic reenactment take place when I am embarking on my third Great Lakes Adventure, this time exploring many of the islands of the Great Lakes! This experience will be part of my third book, 

A 1,000-MILE GREAT LAKES

 ISLAND ADVENTURE

which will be published by Crickhollow books of Milwaukee in 2015.

Learn more about this historic event at:  http://battleoflakeerie-bicentennial.com/

And about my participation HERE.