Aboard the US Brig Niagara of today there are four of these 32 lb. carronades. Aboard the original Niagara there were 18. These carronades were useless as long range weapons but sheer murder at close range.When your mobility depends upon the wind, the weather gauge becomes an important part of your strategy. On September 10 1813, Captain Barclay hoped to stay out of range of these big carronades using his superior fire power in long range weapons. Commodore Perry planned to close with Barclay too rapidly for the British long guns to do much dammage. Then he could bring his 32 pounders into action, giving him the superior fire power. Both fleet commanders needed the advantage of the weather gauge to implement their plans.
The weather gauge favoured the British right up to the moment the two fleets sighted eachother. Miraculously, the wind then shifted to favour the American fleet.
