An Historically Important and Exceptionally RARE 19th century Silver Mounted Presentation Walking Stick made from wood salvaged from the War of 1812 Brig NIAGARA Commanded by Commodore Oliver H. Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1813.

The cane was presented to 'Andrew M. Norton,' (a seaman who fought on board the Niagara during the battle), by his son-in-law 'A.C. Gretchell' circa 1848 when Gretchell married Norton's daughter Caroline. The cane's six-sided silver knob is engraved as follows: "From the Niagara Commanded/ By Commodore O.H. Perry at/ The Battle of Lake Erie/ September 10, 1812/ We have met the Enemy and they are ours/ Don't give up the Ship." Accompanying the cane is an extensive archive of material documenting the history of the cane and its' owner Andrew Norton. Historical note: The Battle of Lake Erie took place on Sept. 10, 1813 with Perry in the Brig 'LAWRENCE' leading the attack and drawing concentrated fire from the British, commanded by Commodore Barclay. The Lawrence soon became an unmanageable wreck with most of her crew killed or wounded. Perry then transfered to the Brig NIAGARA who had been unable to close the enemy in the earlier stages of the battle. From her deck he regrouped his squadron and came down through the enemy line, Niagara pouring broadsides into the British ships until Barclay surrendered and victory was secured. With victory came control of Lake Erie, freeing the upper lakes from the threat of invasion. In the aftermath, Commodore Perry wrote his famous report to Gen. William Henry Harrison: "We have met the enemy and they are ours: two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop." After the war, the Niagara served as a station ship in Erie until 1820 and was scuttled there in Misery bay. Several attempts were made to raise the hulk in the mid 19th century and the cane was made on one of those occassions.