June 18, 1812, the United States declares war on Great Britain. Unaware that war has begun, George Armstrong is captured while serving on an American merchant ship on the Detroit River. He escapes his captors in Canada and makes an arduous journey to his home in Pennsylvania. When he learns that the war has followed him to his home in Erie, George joins the monumental and dangerous task of building a fleet of American warships in the harbor. When the ships are placed under the command of Oliver Hazard Perry, George must choose between remaining with the safety of a home and family or joining the squadron in the Battle of Lake Erie. The difficult choice is compounded when he learns that his cousin Jesse is serving on the HMS Queen Charlotte and he would have to help destroy the ship with cannon fire to save him. His decision comes with a high price, and he must consider the cost.