Perry's Opportune Moment

Put-in-bay, an Ohio island in Lake Erie

Small as these vessels were, it was necessary to remove the guns from the larger ones before they would pass over Erie Bar, which lay outside Erie Harbor. The existence of this bar made it possible for the British fleet, which was blockading Erie, to pen up Perry's forces and render them useless. Fortunately, at an opportune moment, the British commander relaxed the blockade, and Perry was able to reach the open lake.

From The battle of Lake Erie: a collection of documents, chiefly by Commodore Perry: including the court-martial of Commander Barclay & the court of enquiry on Captain Elliott .