May 5, 2020
Don’t Give Up the Ship
During the War of 1812, American Naval Officer Captain James Lawrence (October 1, 1781 – June 4, 1813) was in command of the USS Chesapeake and after early successes against the Royal Navy, he was mortally wounded during a single ship action against HMS Shannon commanded by Philip Broke. Lawrence is best known today for his last words spoken during his dying command: "Don't give up the ship!" The phrase remains a popular naval battle cry, and it also inspired Oliver Hazard Perry's personal battle flag, which he adopted soonafter to commemorate his dead friend.