Don't Give Up the Ship!

The Maundy Monday Newsletter - This Week in History August 19 - 25.

Christopher Raymond Perry, whose ancestors traveled to the New World from England on the Mayflower, was a waterman. His father, James Perry, was a surgeon during the American Revolution, and he married a woman named Mercy Hazard. Mercy’s parents were Oliver and Sarah Raymond, and they were waterpeople. The Hazards and Perrys all remained in Rhode Island and focused on maritime activities, and Christopher eventually became an officer in the United States Navy.

Christopher married Sarah Wallace Alexander, whose ancestors came from Scotland. In August 1785, Sarah gave birth to Oliver Hazard Perry. Young Oliver spent much of his childhood on the water, focused on learning how to sail, a skill that would eventually help his country in war.

Many years later, that war came to fruition. The War of 1812, the second round of War with our British Overlords, and the American Navy were small but mighty. Naval battles happened across the Great Lakes, including the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813, where Commodore Perry defeated the British. The British had pounded his ship so severely that Perry was forced to jump to another ship that rallied the Americans to victory.

Perry is known for the phrase Don’t Give Up the Ship!, which he dedicated to his friend James Lawrence. Lawrence uttered the phrase as he was mortally wounded while commanding his ship in battle earlier that year. The phrase is now a rallying cry for the Navy, especially during football games when losing. Don’t Give Up the Ship is also a comedic film starring Jerry Lewis. It came out in 1959. Sounds hilarious.

Oliver was also no stranger to controversies and had a running feud with several military officers, including one that led to a duel, in which Perry did not return a shot after his adversary had missed. The place of the duel was none other than the piece of land that saw Vice President Burr shoot our boy Alexander Hamilton.

In 1819, Perry led an American expedition to Venezuela to seek an agreement to fight piracy. After securing the accord, Perry, along with many in his crew, contracted Yellow Fever, and he died on August 19, 1819, at the age of 34.

We memorialize Commodore Perry in various ways, but I enjoy the Commodore Perry IPA by the Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland. It’s an English-style IPA, which is an obvious choice since he owned Britain when it came to style and taste.

Okay, let's highlight what else happened this week. As a reminder, these events celebrate their anniversary, ending in 5 or 0. Here's what I got:

1.      President Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act on August 20, 1964. As part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society policies, the EOA responded to Johnson’s War on Poverty. The law created eleven major programs, including the Jobs Corps and Head Start. Poverty, however, is still around. You can’t have a war on intangible things. I’m losing the war on being fat right now.

2.      The British burned the White House on August 24, 1814. While Commodore Perry was whipping British butt in Lake Erie, the British were burning down our capital during War With England Part II.  How do you win a war, or at least have a draw when your capital gets burned to the ground? It’s such a mystery to me.

3.      The waffle iron was patented on August 24, 1869. Cornelius Swartwout was a former Union soldier who fought in the 3^rd New York Cavalry. His family lineage was Dutch, who happened to be the people who dedicated themselves to cooking waffles correctly. Cornelious would invent a waffle iron that could easily turn and be held with a handle that didn’t burn the person using it. The iron also featured a grid design, which allows waffles to hold syrup, fruits, and other toppings. Now I want a waffle. Be sure to eat a waffle this Saturday when it’s National Waffle Day. 

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Another Perry has been in the news recently. Five people have been charged in the death of actor Matthew Perry, who died of a drug overdose last October. We found out that Perry, whose career took off in the 90s sitcom Friends, had relied on taking ketamine, a medication that can treat depression. So sad.

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Did I tell you all I’m taking my mother to Ireland after Labor Day? If not, I’m taking my Mom to Ireland after Labor Day, which is quickly approaching. I’ll have more updates in the coming weeks.

I’ll be back on Friday after we spend the week watching Vice President Kamala Harris's coronation at this week’s Democratic National Convention.

Have a great week!

Okay,

Chris

Blue wishes this beer was a Commodore Perry IPA.