War of 1812 - Freshwater Edition

Today we take a look at the War of 1812 as it progressed on the Great Lakes.

[mattisvov]

When Drach describe these tiny and haphazard fleets, I half expect him to add: "They also had a rowboat with a punt gun, manned by a very ornery man called Gary."

[DoddyIshamel]

This is great Drach, these less touched on conflicts and campaigns are where your channel really stands out.

[malcolmscally]

war is no excuse for not returning your library books :D

[jlvfr]

Royal Navy: we win the lakes.
US Navy: we win the lakes.
Lake's weather: hold my beer.

[GeFlixes]

This almost has the feel of a RTS game because of the short distances and relatively low amounts of forces on both sides in relation to how many ships where built each winter.

[ethanhatcher]

One thing you didn't mention, Perry's fleet was supplemented by around 100 veteran sailors from USS Constitution, then undergoing refits in Boston

[limeguy]

Drach: Provides a concise summary of the topic with well thought out jokes and bits of humour.
Me: *Slight chuckle*
Also Drach: says "Yo" in a completely serious tone several times.
Me: *Dies of laughter*

[amerigo]

Nice observation that these freshwater warships were much more heavily armed than their saltwater equivalents since they went on short cruises and could go back to port if the weather was nasty.

[iainb]

Utterly amazing to think that a naval commander could have his men design and virtually whittle up a brand new warship in the field as it were. Wow.

[Palora]

"I have the bigger ship!"
"Not anymore, now I have the bigger ship!"
"You did, but now I have the bigger ship. again!"
"And now you don't, for I have the bigger ship once more!"
:D

[RaderizDorret]

One thing I really love about this video: it demonstrates something I say quite often for those who don't live near the Great Lakes. It's that they're not lakes as much as they are freshwater inland seas and will *very* quickly kill you if you're careless.

[johnbenson]

Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
In the rooms of her ice-water mansion
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams
The islands and bays are for sportsmen
And farther below Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her

[billbolton]

1913, the war of 1812 dragged on a bit. Great content as always.

[Hiznogood]

19:59 Are you sure Isaac Chauncey wasn't Canadian, because returning of the library books sounds something very Canadian!
"Here's the books we borrowed, a bit late I'm afraid! Sorry!"

[victorbruant]

This would have been a nice DLC for Napoleon: Total War

[chriscushing]

Drach, I am just beginning to listen to this and I am stoked! I spent a season working on the replica Brig Niagara, and sailed her from Erie, PA to Duluth, MN and finally to Chicago. She's an interesting ship to sail- way more sail area than anything her size needs and the maneuverability of a barge. She's a musclecar among tallships.

Oh, and she has a tiller rather than a wheel. I think she's the largest operating tallship with a tiller.

[mattwoodard]

When a good storm blows up on the Great Lakes you BETTER head for a safe harbor. In some ways the waves are worse than on the open sea. The massive number of wrecks is evidence of that. (Yes, I live along Lake Erie.) sm

[Halinspark]

41:50 The Native fieldcraft was pretty good, but it didn't help that there was only one airport for the Americans to use for landing troops.

[dayaautum]

"Who has the biggest guns, the British or the Americans?"
"The Lake has the biggest guns."

[sarjim]

Growing up in Cleveland, we probably learned more about the various battles on the Lakes, especially Lake Erie. It always seemed odd ot me that we were going to somehow conquer Canada, especially with our rather pitiful forces. The fact we even came as close as we did was quite amazing.