Cyrus Tiffany Saves the Life of Admiral Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie
by Unknown
Title
Cyrus Tiffany Saves the Life of Admiral Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie
Artist
Unknown
Medium
Painting - Painting
Description
"Cyrus Tiffany in the Battle of Lake Erie, September 13, 1813," mural by Martyr Schweig, at the Recorder of Deeds building, built in 1943. 515 D St., NW, Washington, D.C. Cyrus Tiffany may be the best known black seaman from the Lake Erie fleet because of his close personal association with Perry. Tiffany, variously recorded as a seaman and a musician, also served with Perry at Newport. Perry apparently took a personal interest in Tiffany's well being. According to one account: When the engagement approached, the Commodore, in as far as he could to put [Tiffany] out of harms way, placed him on the berth deck [of the Lawrence] with a musket & bayonet, with orders to charge upon any one attempting to skulk below. Shortly after the battle began the men fell so thick & fast that the Commodore observed the hatchway crowded with wounded, where passage below seemed to be obstructed. On going there he found them charged upon by 'old Tiffany,' who swore they were a set of skulkers, and should not come below....In the [U.S. Frigate] Java he sometimes took great liberties, which the Commodore bore in the greatest good humor, & was much incensed on one occasion when a Lieutenant had punished him with a ropes end [a thickly knotted rope's end, called a starter, was used by boatswain's mates to galvanize shirkers]. He was a 'hanger on' to the Commodore to the day of his death, who always took the most humane care of him.
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November 20th, 2021
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