Thomas MacDonough - Going to Sea:
Reporting aboard USS Ganges, MacDonough sailed for the Caribbean in May. Through the summer, Ganges, with Captain John Mullowny in command, captured three French merchant vessels. With the end of the conflict in September, MacDonough remained in the US Navy and moved to the frigate USS Constellation on October 20, 1801. Sailing for the Mediterranean, Constellation served in Commodore Richard Dale's squadron during the First Barbary War. While aboard, MacDonough received a thorough nautical education from Captain Alexander Murray. As the composition of the squadron evolved, he received orders to join USS Philadelphia in 1803. Led by Captain William Bainbridge, the frigate succeeded in capturing the Moroccan warship Mirboka on August 26. Taking shore leave that fall, MacDonough was not aboard Philadelphia when it grounded on an uncharted reef in Tripoli harbor and was captured on October 31.
Without a ship, MacDonough was soon reassigned to the sloop USS Enterprise. Serving under Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, he aided in the capture of the Tripolitan ketch Mastico in December. This prize was soon refitted as USS Intrepid and joined the squadron. Concerned that Philadelphia would be salvaged by the Tripolitans, the squadron commander, Commodore Edward Preble, began formulating a plan to eliminate the stricken frigate. This called for Decatur to sneak into Tripoli harbor using Intrepid, storming the ship, and setting it ablaze if it could not saved. Familiar with Philadelphia's layout, MacDonough volunteered for the raid and played a key role. Moving forward, Decatur and his men succeeded in burning Philadelphia on February 16, 1804. A stunning success, the raid was termed the "the most bold and daring act of the Age" by British Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson.
Thomas MacDonough - Peacetime:
Promoted to acting lieutenant for his part in the raid, MacDonough soon joined the brig USS Syren. Returning the United States in 1806, he aided Captain Isaac Hull in overseeing the construction of gunboats at Middletown, CT. Later that year, his promotion to lieutenant was made permanent. Completing his assignment with Hull, MacDonough received his first command in the sloop of war USS Wasp (18). Initially operating in the waters around Britain, Wasp spent much 1808 off the United States enforcing the Embargo Act. Departing Wasp, MacDonough spent part of 1809 aboard USS Essex before leaving the frigate to direct gunboat construction at Middletown. With the repeal of the Embargo Act in 1809, the US Navy reduced its forces. The following year, MacDonough requested leave and spent two years as the captain of a British merchant vessel sailing to India.
Thomas MacDonough - The War of 1812 Begins:
Returning to active duty shortly before the beginning of the War of 1812 in June 1812, MacDonough initially received a posting to Constellation. Fitting out at Washington, DC, the frigate required several months of work before being ready for sea. Eager take part in the fighting, MacDonough soon requested a transfer and briefly commanded gunboats at Portland, ME before being ordered to take command of US naval forces on Lake Champlain that October. Arriving at Burlington, VT, his forces were limited to the sloops USS Growler and USS Eagle. Though small, his command was sufficient to control the lake. This situation changed radically on June 2, 1813, when Lieutenant Sidney Smith lost both vessels near Ile aux Noix.
Promoted to master commandant on July 24, MacDonough began large a shipbuilding effort at Otter Creek, VT in an effort to regain the lake. This yard produced the corvette USS Saratoga, the sloop of war USS Eagle, the schooner USS Ticonderoga, and several gunboats by late spring 1814. This effort was matched by his British counterpart, Commander Daniel Pring, who commenced his own building program at Ile aux Noix. Moving south in mid-May, Pring attempted to attack the American shipyard but was driven off by MacDonough's batteries. Completing his vessels, MacDonough shifted his squadron of fourteen warships across the lake to Plattsburgh, NY to await Pring's next sortie south. Out-gunned by the Americans, Pring withdrew to await the completion of the frigate HMS Confiance.
Thomas MacDonough - The Battle of Plattsburgh:
As Confiance neared completion, British forces led by Lieutenant General Sir George Prévost began gathering with the intention of invading the United States via Lake Champlain. As Prévost's men marched south, they would be supplied and protected by British naval forces now led by Captain George Downie. To oppose this effort, badly outnumbered American forces, commanded by Brigadier General Alexander Macomb, assumed a defensive position near Plattsburgh. They were supported by MacDonough who arrayed his fleet in Plattsburgh Bay. Advancing on August 31, Prévost's men, which included a large number of the Duke of Wellington's veterans, were hampered by a variety of delaying tactics used by the Americans. Arriving near Plattsburgh on September 6, their initial efforts were turned back by Macomb.
Consulting with Downie, Prévost intended to attack the American lines on September 10 in concert with a naval effort against MacDonough in the bay. Hampered by unfavorable winds, Downie was unable to move forward on the desired date and was forced to delay a day. On September 11, the British fleet rounded Cumberland Head at 9:00 AM and approached MacDonough's position. As the Battle of Plattsburgh began, Downie laid Confiance next to MacDonough's flagship, Saratoga. As the two flagships hammered each other, the other vessels began engaging. The battle turned when MacDonough was able to pivot the battered Saratoga using spring lines and brought his undamaged portside guns to bear. In succession, he was able to capture Confiance as well as the brig HMS Linnet. Having gained the upper hand, the Americans succeeded in capturing the entire British squadron.
MacDonough's triumph matched that of Master Commandant Oliver H. Perry who had won a similar victory on Lake Erie the previous September. Ashore, Prévost's initial efforts were delayed or turned back. Learning of Downie's defeat, he elected to break off the battle as he felt any victory would be meaningless as American control of the lake would prevent him from being able to resupply his army. Though his commanders protested the decision, Prévost's army began retreating north to Canada that night. For his efforts at Plattsburgh, MacDonough was hailed as hero and received a promotion to captain as well as a Congressional Gold Medal. In addition, both New York and Vermont presented him with generous grants of land.
Thomas MacDonough - Later Career:
After remaining on the lake into 1815, MacDonough took command of the Portsmouth Navy Yard on July 1 where he relieved Hull. Returning to sea three years later, he joined the Mediterranean Squadron as captain of HMS Guerriere. During his time abroad, MacDonough contracted tuberculosis in April 1818. Due to health issues, he returned to the United States later that year where he began overseeing the construction of the ship of the line USS Ohio at the New York Navy Yard. In this position for five years, MacDonough requested sea duty and received command of USS Constitution in 1824. Sailing for the Mediterranean, MacDonough's tenure aboard the frigate proved brief as he was forced to relieve himself of command due to health issues on October 14, 1825. Sailing for home, he died off Gibraltar on November 10. MacDonough's body was returned to the United States where it was buried in Middletown, CT next to his wife, Lucy Ann Shaler MacDonough