Put-in-Bay

Last weekend I took a day trip from Toledo to see South Bass Island and Put-in-Bay. The Lake Erie islands were swarming with small craft, and Put-in-Bay was crowded with people drinking or steering golf carts (ideally not both). It's hard to imagine that these peaceful waters were witness to a large scale naval battle 199 years ago. With my wife and mother in tow, we visited the Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial administered by the National Parks Service. Some Parks Service employees and volunteers were out demonstrating an 18-pounder carronade--the "smashers" that won the Battle of Lake Erie for Oliver Hazard Perry.