Betsy Ross, known locally as
the cannon in Waterworks Park, formerly Perry Park, is relic of Perry’s victory
over the British in 1813. Betsy is a carronade cannon that was found on the
shore of Put-In-Bay, originally called Ross Island.
The cannon is referred to in
Sketches and Stories of the Lake Erie Islands by Lydia Ryall. The cannon bears
the initials H.M.N. (His/Her Majesty’s Navy). The initials B.C. are found on
the cannon indicating that the cannon was made by Birmingham Cannon making it a
British cannon.
The cannon was purchased by Port Clinton Mayor Henry J. Rohrs prior to 1904. Mayor Rohrs left the area in early 1905.
Initially the cannon was
mounted on large carriage wheels which were not historically accurate. This
cannon was normally mounted on the upper deck rather than below decks.
Eventually the Matthews Boat Plant created a new appropriate mounting.
