George Downie
Encyclopedia
George Downie was a British Royal Navy
officer during the War of 1812
. He commanded the British squadron which attacked the American fleet anchored at Plattsburgh Bay in Lake Champlain
during the Battle of Plattsburgh
on September 11, 1814. Downie was leading into battle inexperienced crews, many of them from provincial units and not from the cream of the Royal Navy, against American forces which had both time to prepare and were readily familiar with that area of the Lake. Early in the ensuing battle, Commodore
Downie was crushed by a cannon aboard his flagship HMS Confiance and killed instantly; the gun having been struck on its muzzle by a cannonball from the U.S. flagship Saratoga
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:
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.
A 24 pound cannon from the captured Confiance, the same gun responsible for the death of Commodore Downie, can be found today on display in front of Macdonough Hall at the United States Naval Academy
in Annapolis Maryland. The deep indentation on the muzzle of this gun left by the ball from the USS Saratoga is still present.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
officer during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. He commanded the British squadron which attacked the American fleet anchored at Plattsburgh Bay in Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
during the Battle of Plattsburgh
Battle of Plattsburgh
The Battle of Plattsburgh, also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain, ended the final invasion of the northern states during the War of 1812...
on September 11, 1814. Downie was leading into battle inexperienced crews, many of them from provincial units and not from the cream of the Royal Navy, against American forces which had both time to prepare and were readily familiar with that area of the Lake. Early in the ensuing battle, Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
Downie was crushed by a cannon aboard his flagship HMS Confiance and killed instantly; the gun having been struck on its muzzle by a cannonball from the U.S. flagship Saratoga
USS Saratoga (1814)
The second USS Saratoga, named for the Battles of Saratoga, was a corvette built on Lake Champlain for service in the War of 1812.-Service history:...
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:
" 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."
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.
A 24 pound cannon from the captured Confiance, the same gun responsible for the death of Commodore Downie, can be found today on display in front of Macdonough Hall at the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in Annapolis Maryland. The deep indentation on the muzzle of this gun left by the ball from the USS Saratoga is still present.