Johnston Blakeley
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Johnston Blakeley also spelled Johnston Blakely (October 1781 - October 1814) was an officer in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812.
Blakeley was born near Seaford, County Down, Ireland. Brought to the United States as a child in 1783, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1800, then joined the Navy and was appointed a Midshipman in 1800.
After service in President during the Quasi-War with France and command of Enterprise early in the War of 1812, Master Commandant Blakeley was appointed to command of the newly built sloop-of-war Wasp.
In 1814, he made a very successful cruise which included the capture of HMS Reindeer. Wasp was last heard of 9 October 1814 and is believed to have foundered in a gale. Blakeley received the thanks of Congress, a gold medal, and posthumous advancement to Captain for his last cruise.
Two ships were named Blakely for him (with one of them sharing the honor with a great-grand nephew, Charles Adams Blakely), as well as USS Blakeley (DD-150) which was named for him alone.
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
