The reason is likely that Barclay (at that time a 28-year-old Royal Navy Captain) had the grave misfortune of losing the entire British fleet to Commodore Perry and the American fleet following the fierce Battle of Lake Erie at Put In Bay, on September 10, 1813. Unfortunately, Barclay's real battle may well have been with British higher command, who would not send much needed food, supplies and able seamen, thinking that the Lake Erie area was expendable to the British.

Although able to cripple the American flagship, Lawrence, the British fleet was forced to surrender only minutes after Perry transferred over to the Niagara. Nevertheless, Barclay was later absolved of all blame for the defeat, and was eventually restored to the rank of Captain. "Perry’s luck" ran out when he contracted yellow fever six years after the battle, and died at sea on his 34th birthday.

A reconstructed U. S. Brig Niagara, the flagship on which Commodore Perry defeated the British, is on display in Erie, Pennsylvania. As for the British flagship, HMS Detroit, it was sent over Niagara Falls in 1841 as a political statement and public spectacle. Efforts are now underway to build a reconstruction of this ship, as a heritage project.

Ironically, Commodore Perry was also present at the Battle of the Thames when Harrison's army defeated the British and Natives, and Chief Tecumseh was killed. 

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