Captain Downie's Grave
From Harper's Magazine
From The Traveller's Guide.....
Showing posts with label Captain George Downie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Captain George Downie. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Friday, November 4, 2011
HMS Confiance
The HMS Confiance was Captain George Downie's flag ship on September 11, 1814. It was surrendered to the American forces in the aftermath of the Battle of Plattsburgh.
Configuration of the Confiance:
For all intents and purposes, the vessel was still unfinished at the time of the battle, with some workmen, including riggers and carpenters, still laboring on her completion right up to the days before.
From Shipwrecks of lake Champlain...:
...a brief article (1873)... describes the destruction by explosives of a hull identified as Confiance.
A ...sonar survey of the Whitehall area in 1982 did not turn up any large wrecks in the vicinity of the Poultney River's mouth, and a 1995 Lake Champlain Maritime Museum diver survey of the wreck site shown on the 1839 map revealed only a clean lake bottom. Thus, it is likely that Confiance, the largest warship ever built on Lake Champlain, no longer exists.
Configuration of the Confiance:
| Type: | Fifth-rate frigate | |
| Tons burthen: | 831 bm | |
| Propulsion: | Sail | |
| Armament: | • 30 × 24-pounder guns • 6 × 32-pounder carronades • 1 × 24-pounder gun (on pivot mount) |
For all intents and purposes, the vessel was still unfinished at the time of the battle, with some workmen, including riggers and carpenters, still laboring on her completion right up to the days before.
From Shipwrecks of lake Champlain...:
...a brief article (1873)... describes the destruction by explosives of a hull identified as Confiance.
A ...sonar survey of the Whitehall area in 1982 did not turn up any large wrecks in the vicinity of the Poultney River's mouth, and a 1995 Lake Champlain Maritime Museum diver survey of the wreck site shown on the 1839 map revealed only a clean lake bottom. Thus, it is likely that Confiance, the largest warship ever built on Lake Champlain, no longer exists.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Captain George Downie
A passage in the Battles of the British navy described how Captain George Downie died in the Battle of Plattsburg:
This gallant officer met his death in the following manner. A shot from the Saratoga striking one of the 24 pounder carronades on board Confiance knocked it completely off the slide against the captain, who was standing close in the rear of it. He received the blow upon right groin and although signs of life were exhibited for a few minutes he never spoke afterward. No part of his skin was broken and a black mark of about the circumference of a small plate was the only visible hurt sustained. His watch was perfectly flattened and was found with the hands pointing to the hour, minute, and second at which the fatal hurt was received.
From The Outlook:
Of George Downie we know little. He was born in Ross, Ireland; he entered the British navy at an early age; in 1812 he was given command of the British fleet on the Lakes; he was killed in the Battle of Plattsburgh on September 11 1814.
This gallant officer met his death in the following manner. A shot from the Saratoga striking one of the 24 pounder carronades on board Confiance knocked it completely off the slide against the captain, who was standing close in the rear of it. He received the blow upon right groin and although signs of life were exhibited for a few minutes he never spoke afterward. No part of his skin was broken and a black mark of about the circumference of a small plate was the only visible hurt sustained. His watch was perfectly flattened and was found with the hands pointing to the hour, minute, and second at which the fatal hurt was received.
From The Outlook:
Of George Downie we know little. He was born in Ross, Ireland; he entered the British navy at an early age; in 1812 he was given command of the British fleet on the Lakes; he was killed in the Battle of Plattsburgh on September 11 1814.
Downie's genealogy according to this source (also the carronades link):
Captain George Downie 1778-1814
George Downie was the eighth son of the Reverend John Downie. He was a twin of Hector, born on 19 January 1778, almost certainly at Tong, Stornoway where his father lived.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Strength And Loss In The Battle of Plattsburgh - September 11, 1814
Battle of Plattsburgh in the Gazetteer noted the comparative strength and loss of the two parties on the lakes were as follows:
On Sunday morning, Sept. 11 [1814], a simultaneous attack was made by the British land and naval forces, and a bloody and desperate battle ensued. At the end of 2 hours Captain Downie's flag struck, and nearly the whole British fleet fell into the hands of the Americans.
These engagements were justly considered among the most brilliant that occurred during the war of 1812.
On Sunday morning, Sept. 11 [1814], a simultaneous attack was made by the British land and naval forces, and a bloody and desperate battle ensued. At the end of 2 hours Captain Downie's flag struck, and nearly the whole British fleet fell into the hands of the Americans.
These engagements were justly considered among the most brilliant that occurred during the war of 1812.
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