USS Ohio was a merchant schooner purchased by the Navy in 1812; converted to a warship by Henry Eckford; and commissioned prior to 13 June 1813, with Sailing Master Daniel Dobbins in command. Ohio served on Lake Erie in the squadron commanded by Captain Oliver Hazard Perry during the War of 1812. The squadron's mission was to wrest control of the lake from the British. With four other purchased ships, Ohio lay at Black Rock below the Falls in the Niagara River, prevented by British blockade from entering Lake Erie. Finally, in a combined operation with the Army, Perry was able to bring the ships out to join the remainder of the squadron in Presque Isle Bay at Erie, Pennsylvania. Ohio arrived at Erie on 8 July 1813.