In the War of 1812, when, on the U.S. brig Lawrence, he was in command of a small force in the Battlr of Lake Erie. In a short while, the Lawrence was a wreck, it's crew dead and dying and unable to fight.
At this critical moment Perry was betrayed by J.D.Elliot, commander of one of his own ships, Niagara, who did nothing to aid the Commodore. How Perry fought his way by rowboat to the Niagara and took command of the traitor's ship for a quick and decisive defeat of the British is a tale of great heroism.