USS Ohio (1812)

USS Ohio was a merchant schooner purchased by the Navy in 1812; converted to a warship by Henry Eckford; and commissioned prior to 13 June 1813, with Sailing Master Daniel Dobbins in command.

Ohio served on Lake Erie in the squadron commanded by Captain Oliver Hazard Perry during the War of 1812. The squadron's mission was to wrest control of the lake from the British. With four other purchased ships, Ohio lay at Black Rock below the Falls in the Niagara River, prevented by British blockade from entering Lake Erie. Finally, in a combined operation with the Army, Perry was able to bring the ships out to join the remainder of the squadron in Presque Isle Bay at Erie, Pennsylvania. Ohio arrived at Erie on 8 July 1813.

After searching for the British, the squadron anchored at Sandusky on 17 August. Ohio returned to Erie for provisions and stores for the squadron, rejoining her sister ships on 3 September. The same day she set sail for Erie again, and thus was not with the squadron when it won the memorable victory over the British at Put-in Bay on 10 September. Three days later Ohio reached Put-in Bay with sorely needed fresh vegetables and meat.

As soon as the ice cleared in early 1814, Ohio began patrolling between Long Point and Erie to intercept any British movement by water. In May she assisted in fitting out prizes the USS Detroit (1813) and the USS Queen Charlotte (1813) at Put-in Bay, and convoyed them to Erie. On 12 August 1814, she was captured with the USS Somers (1812) by the British within pistol shot of Fort Erie.