114:
148:
127:
550:
consisted of 270 men; 86 Marines, artillerymen and soldiers, and the rest "volunteers" from ships at Quebec who were of inferior quality and bad character, several having been in irons. They were all strangers to each other and to their officers; Downie was acquainted with no officer on board his
551:
ship except his first lieutenant. The
American forces had both time to prepare and were readily familiar with that area of the Lake. Early in the ensuing battle, Downie was crushed by a cannon aboard his flagship
566:"His skin was not broken, a black mark about the size of a small plate was the only visible injury. His watch was found flattened, with its hands pointing to the very second at which he received the fatal blow."
397:, a large frigate armed with fifty-two guns, mainly 12 and 24-pounders, but also two 42-pounders, and with a complement of 500 men under the command of Captain Scanderli Kichuc Ali. The other was the
413:
and in an action lasting until 01:15 reduced her to a motionless wreck. At dawn
Stewart observed that her colours where still flying and so gave her a broadside into her stern, and she struck.
336:
in the West Indies for several years. He was promoted to acting-lieutenant, and after he returned to the United
Kingdom on sick leave, his promotion was confirmed on 23 March 1802.
362:. Though under the protection of a fort, two armed schooners, and three gun and mortar launches, Downie was sent in a cutter to board the vessels while covered by the guns of
1047:
570:
The loss of Downie, who was arguably the most experienced officer in the
British fleet, greatly increased the odds of the American forces winning the engagement that day.
460:
562:
which had sent the piece reeling backwards onto him. One eyewitness later recorded how Downie appeared when the gun, which weighed several tons, was removed:
401:, armed with twenty-four 13-pounders and two mortars, commanded by Captain Daragardi Ali, with a complement of 230. Despite being out-gunned and out-manned
1042:
546:, Downie was leading into battle inexperienced crews, most of them from provincial units and not from the cream of the Royal Navy. The crew of
132:
358:, in the Mediterranean. On 4 May 1805, Boyle sighted a convoy of Spanish ships loaded with gunpowder at San Pedro, an anchorage east of
900:
987:
421:
had 5 killed and 10 wounded, and lost her mizzen mast. On
Stewart's recommendation Downie was subsequently promoted to commander.
1032:
76:
409:
and within 15 minutes reduced her to a wreck, without sails and incapable of returning fire, and then engaged the larger
359:
577:, the same gun responsible for the death of Downie, can be found today on display in front of Macdonough Hall at the
983:
1052:
1037:
61:
555:
and killed instantly; the gun having been struck on its muzzle by a cannonball from the
American flagship
993:
670:
578:
702:
374:, damaging the main topgallant mast, shooting away several braces and bowlines, and killing a crewman.
665:
219:
430:
378:
then discontinued the engagement, wishing to leave the coast while the breeze and daylight lasted.
119:
879:
307:
444:
from 15 June 1810 to
December 1812, operating in the English Channel and taking several prizes:
543:
274:
239:
801:
765:
745:
618:
1027:
1022:
837:
783:
530:
321:
224:
200:
171:
819:
8:
873:
636:
582:
556:
439:
345:
325:
184:
997:
750:
479:
473:
929:
954:
331:
310:
of
Stornoway, and Charlotte Mackenzie. He joined the Royal Navy in around 1790 as a
878:. Albany, New York: New York State Commission Plattsburgh Centenary. 1914. p.
520:
405:
engaged the Turks at 09:30 in the evening. At 10:00 he came up close alongside the
351:
315:
243:
192:
355:
229:
585:. The deep indentation on the muzzle of this gun left by the ball from the USS
536:
303:
270:
1016:
299:
91:
78:
261:(19 January 1778 – 11 September 1814) was a Scottish officer of the British
526:
516:
291:
266:
234:
43:
496:
436:
386:
311:
262:
153:
269:, he commanded a British squadron that fought an American squadron on
295:
453:
390:
901:"The War of 1812: Historic Sites in Anne Arundel County, Maryland"
366:. Downie boarded and brought out a Spanish brig, laden with 1,170
367:
370:
of powder while the
Spanish gun-boats continued to fire on the
593:
is in the lobby of
Plattsburgh City Hall in Plattsburgh, NY.
519:
on 1 January 1813, and was appointed to command of the sloop
448:
On 18 December 1810 he captured the French lugger privateer
385:
in July 1808, under Captain John Stewart, patrolling in the
596:
Downie is buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Plattsburgh.
389:, when on 5 July she encountered two Turkish vessels off
955:"The Demise of Capt. Downie at The Battle of Plattsburg"
875:
The Battle of Plattsburgh - What historians say about it
465:, he pursued and captured the French lugger privateer
324:
on 11 October 1797. He then served aboard the frigates
502:
On 28 December 1812 he captured the French privateer
1048:
British military personnel killed in the War of 1812
637:"Family tree of John Downie and Charlotte Mackenzie"
491:On 6 January 1812 he captured the French privateer
417:had suffered 165 men killed and 195 wounded; while
469:, of 10 guns and 47 men, off the coast of France.
1014:
666:"Obituary; with anecdotes of remarkable persons"
123:
344:In 1804 he was appointed to the 38-gun frigate
306:. He was the son of The Reverend John Downie,
285:
354:under the command of Captain the Honourable
589:is still present. The anchor from Downie's
836:
818:
800:
782:
764:
744:
697:
695:
693:
617:
539:, taking command of her on 3 September.
1043:Royal Navy personnel of the War of 1812
1015:
754:. 22 October 1808. pp. 1437–1438.
535:, flagship of the British squadron on
982:
690:
641:Ian Downie's Family History Home Page
529:. In August 1814 he was appointed to
472:On 19 December 1811, in company with
381:Downie was still first lieutenant of
660:
658:
573:A 24-pound cannon from the captured
459:On 2 February 1811, in company with
484:, he captured the French privateer
13:
290:Downie was born in the village of
14:
1064:
772:. 18 December 1810. p. 2021.
655:
625:. 26 November 1814. p. 2337.
542:On 11 September 1814, during the
350:, and in May 1805 was serving as
146:
125:
112:
947:
922:
893:
866:
857:
848:
830:
812:
794:
790:. 2 February 1811. p. 205.
72:Riverside Cemetery, Plattsburgh
989:Naval History of Great Britain
863:James, Vol. VI (1857), p. 342.
854:James, Vol. VI (1857), p. 340.
826:. 7 November 1812. p. 47.
776:
758:
738:
729:
726:James, Vol. IV (1857), p. 133.
720:
629:
611:
277:, during which he was killed.
1:
1033:People from the Isle of Lewis
844:. 23 March 1813. p. 610.
808:. 18 July 1812. p. 1400.
599:
495:, of 14 guns and 56 men, off
452:, of 14 guns and 50 men, off
339:
735:James, Vol. V (1857), p. 57.
429:Downie commanded the 18-gun
424:
320:, and saw action during the
314:, served aboard the frigate
280:
7:
678:(I): 379. January–June 1815
579:United States Naval Academy
286:Background and early career
10:
1069:
510:
220:French Revolutionary Wars
212:
177:
167:
159:
139:
107:
92:44.6932167°N 73.4593833°W
67:
50:
30:
23:
671:The Gentleman's Magazine
120:Kingdom of Great Britain
515:Downie was promoted to
97:44.6932167; -73.4593833
908:fourriversheritage.org
544:Battle of Plattsburgh
275:Battle of Plattsburgh
240:Battle of Plattsburgh
160:Years of service
62:Plattsburgh, New York
930:"Riverside Cemetery"
322:Battle of Camperdown
225:Battle of Camperdown
1053:Royal Navy captains
1038:Royal Navy officers
583:Annapolis, Maryland
238: •
223: •
88: /
934:warof1812trail.com
842:The London Gazette
824:The London Gazette
806:The London Gazette
788:The London Gazette
770:The London Gazette
751:The London Gazette
643:. 16 February 2008
623:The London Gazette
16:Royal Navy officer
959:historiclakes.org
256:
255:
54:11 September 1814
1060:
1009:
1007:
1005:
996:. Archived from
970:
969:
967:
965:
951:
945:
944:
942:
940:
926:
920:
919:
917:
915:
905:
897:
891:
890:
888:
886:
870:
864:
861:
855:
852:
846:
845:
834:
828:
827:
816:
810:
809:
798:
792:
791:
780:
774:
773:
762:
756:
755:
742:
736:
733:
727:
724:
718:
717:
715:
713:
699:
688:
687:
685:
683:
662:
653:
652:
650:
648:
633:
627:
626:
615:
393:. They were the
352:first lieutenant
302:in the Scottish
248:
152:
150:
149:
141:
135:
131:
129:
128:
118:
116:
115:
103:
102:
100:
99:
98:
93:
89:
86:
85:
84:
81:
57:
40:
38:
21:
20:
1068:
1067:
1063:
1062:
1061:
1059:
1058:
1057:
1013:
1012:
1003:
1001:
994:Richard Bentley
974:
973:
963:
961:
953:
952:
948:
938:
936:
928:
927:
923:
913:
911:
903:
899:
898:
894:
884:
882:
872:
871:
867:
862:
858:
853:
849:
835:
831:
817:
813:
799:
795:
781:
777:
763:
759:
743:
739:
734:
730:
725:
721:
711:
709:
703:"George Downie"
701:
700:
691:
681:
679:
664:
663:
656:
646:
644:
635:
634:
630:
616:
612:
602:
513:
427:
356:Courtenay Boyle
342:
288:
283:
252:
244:
237:
230:Napoleonic Wars
222:
208:
147:
145:
126:
124:
122:
113:
111:
96:
94:
90:
87:
82:
79:
77:
75:
74:
73:
59:
55:
42:
41:19 January 1778
36:
34:
26:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1066:
1056:
1055:
1050:
1045:
1040:
1035:
1030:
1025:
1011:
1010:
1000:on 2 July 2008
984:James, William
979:
978:
972:
971:
946:
921:
892:
865:
856:
847:
829:
811:
793:
775:
757:
737:
728:
719:
707:threedecks.org
689:
654:
628:
609:
608:
607:
606:
601:
598:
568:
567:
537:Lake Champlain
512:
509:
508:
507:
500:
489:
470:
457:
426:
423:
341:
338:
304:Outer Hebrides
287:
284:
282:
279:
271:Lake Champlain
254:
253:
251:
250:
232:
227:
216:
214:
210:
209:
207:
206:
198:
190:
181:
179:
175:
174:
169:
165:
164:
161:
157:
156:
143:
137:
136:
133:United Kingdom
109:
105:
104:
71:
69:
65:
64:
58:(aged 36)
52:
48:
47:
32:
28:
27:
24:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1065:
1054:
1051:
1049:
1046:
1044:
1041:
1039:
1036:
1034:
1031:
1029:
1026:
1024:
1021:
1020:
1018:
999:
995:
991:
990:
985:
981:
980:
976:
975:
960:
956:
950:
935:
931:
925:
909:
902:
896:
881:
877:
876:
869:
860:
851:
843:
839:
833:
825:
821:
815:
807:
803:
797:
789:
785:
779:
771:
767:
761:
753:
752:
747:
741:
732:
723:
708:
704:
698:
696:
694:
677:
673:
672:
667:
661:
659:
642:
638:
632:
624:
620:
614:
610:
604:
603:
597:
594:
592:
588:
584:
580:
576:
571:
565:
564:
563:
561:
560:
554:
549:
545:
540:
538:
534:
533:
528:
524:
523:
518:
505:
501:
498:
494:
490:
487:
483:
482:
477:
476:
471:
468:
467:Le Braconnier
464:
463:
458:
455:
451:
447:
446:
445:
443:
442:
438:
435:
433:
422:
420:
416:
415:Badere-Zaffer
412:
411:Badere-Zaffer
408:
404:
400:
396:
395:Badere-Zaffer
392:
388:
384:
379:
377:
373:
369:
365:
361:
357:
353:
349:
348:
337:
335:
334:
329:
328:
323:
319:
318:
313:
309:
305:
301:
300:Isle of Lewis
297:
293:
278:
276:
272:
268:
265:. During the
264:
260:
259:George Downie
249:
247:
241:
236:
233:
231:
228:
226:
221:
218:
217:
215:
211:
205:
204:
199:
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191:
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183:
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176:
173:
170:
166:
162:
158:
155:
144:
138:
134:
121:
110:
106:
101:
83:73°27′33.78″W
80:44°41′35.58″N
70:
66:
63:
53:
49:
45:
33:
29:
25:George Downie
22:
19:
1002:. Retrieved
998:the original
988:
977:Bibliography
962:. Retrieved
958:
949:
937:. Retrieved
933:
924:
912:. Retrieved
910:. p. 14
907:
895:
883:. Retrieved
874:
868:
859:
850:
841:
832:
823:
814:
805:
796:
787:
778:
769:
760:
749:
740:
731:
722:
710:. Retrieved
706:
680:. Retrieved
675:
669:
645:. Retrieved
640:
631:
622:
613:
595:
590:
586:
574:
572:
569:
558:
552:
547:
541:
531:
527:Lake Ontario
521:
514:
503:
492:
485:
480:
474:
466:
461:
450:l'Aventurier
449:
440:
431:
428:
418:
414:
410:
406:
402:
398:
394:
382:
380:
375:
371:
363:
360:Cape de Gata
346:
343:
332:
326:
316:
289:
258:
257:
245:
213:Battles/wars
202:
194:
186:
56:(1814-09-11)
18:
1028:1814 deaths
1023:1778 births
838:"No. 16714"
820:"No. 16560"
802:"No. 16624"
784:"No. 16449"
766:"No. 16436"
746:"No. 16194"
619:"No. 16960"
267:War of 1812
235:War of 1812
163:c.1790–1814
95: /
44:Tong, Lewis
1017:Categories
992:. London:
600:References
497:Folkestone
486:La Rondeur
437:brig-sloop
407:Alis Fezan
399:Alis Fezan
387:Aegean Sea
340:Lieutenant
312:midshipman
263:Royal Navy
154:Royal Navy
108:Allegiance
46:, Scotland
37:1778-01-19
591:Confiance
575:Confiance
557:USS
553:Confiance
548:Confiance
532:Confiance
462:Castilian
425:Commander
296:Stornoway
281:Biography
203:Confiance
201:HMS
193:HMS
185:HMS
1004:28 April
986:(1837).
964:28 April
939:28 April
914:28 April
885:28 April
712:28 April
682:28 April
647:28 April
587:Saratoga
559:Saratoga
522:Montreal
493:La Furet
441:Royalist
419:Seahorse
403:Seahorse
391:Skopelos
383:Seahorse
376:Seahorse
372:Seahorse
368:quintals
364:Seahorse
347:Seahorse
327:Melampus
308:minister
195:Montreal
187:Royalist
178:Commands
140:Service/
517:captain
511:Captain
504:La Ruse
481:Rosario
475:Skylark
432:Cruizer
298:on the
273:in the
246:†
172:Captain
454:Fécamp
434:-class
333:Apollo
242:
151:
142:branch
130:
117:
68:Buried
904:(PDF)
676:LXXXV
605:Notes
317:Circe
294:near
60:near
1006:2014
966:2014
941:2014
916:2014
887:2014
714:2014
684:2014
649:2014
478:and
330:and
292:Tong
168:Rank
51:Died
31:Born
581:in
525:on
1019::
957:.
932:.
906:.
880:17
840:.
822:.
804:.
786:.
768:.
748:.
705:.
692:^
674:.
668:.
657:^
639:.
621:.
1008:.
968:.
943:.
918:.
889:.
716:.
686:.
651:.
506:.
499:.
488:.
456:.
39:)
35:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.