Johnston Blakeley

Alfred Webb

A Compendium of Irish Biography

1878

Blakeley, Johnston, Captain U.S.N., was born at Seaford, County of Down, October 1781. His parents emigrated to North Carolina; and before long he was left an orphan. Educated by a friend, he entered the U. S. Navy in 1800 as a midshipman; and by July 1813, had risen to be a Master-Commander. In the Wasp, on 28th June 1814, he captured, after a severe engagement, H. B. M. ship, Reindeer. The latter vessel made three desperate and unsuccessful efforts to board, in the last of which her commander was slain. For this exploit, Congress voted Commander Blakeley a gold medal. On 21st September 1814, he captured and sent into Savannah the brig Atalanta. This was the last direct intelligence ever received of him. The Wasp being heavily armed and sparred, and deep-waisted, probably foundered in a gale. About the time of his death he was gazetted a captain. His only child, a daughter, was educated at the expense of North Carolina.

Sources

37a. Biographical Dictionary—American Biography: Francis S. Drake. Boston, 1876.

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