James Macnamara
James Macnamara | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1768 County Clare, Ireland |
| Died | 15 January 1826 Clifton, Bristol, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Service/ | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1782 – 1826 |
| Rank | Rear-Admiral |
| Commands held | HMS Bombay Castle HMS Southampton HMS Cerberus HMS Dictator HMS Edgar HMS Berwick |
| Battles/wars |
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Born into a naval family, Macnamara served in the
Macnamara found himself in trouble with the law after killing a man in a
Family and early life
Macnamara was born into a naval family in 1768 in
French Revolutionary Wars
Macnamara continued to serve with Hood aboard Victory after the outbreak of war with
Command of Southampton
Macnamara then spent 15 days in September 1795 blockading a French grain convoy in the port of
Macnamara had another chance to distinguish himself, when on 9 June 1796 a French
Sir, in obedience to the orders I received from you on the Victory's quarter-deck last evening, I pushed through the Grande Passe, and hauled up under the batteries on the N.E. of Porguerol with an easy sail, in hopes that I should be taken for a French or neutral frigate, which I have great reason to believe succeeded, as I got within pistol-shot of the enemy's ship before I was discovered, and cautioned the Captain through a trumpet not to make a fruitless resistance, when he immediately snapped his pistol at me, and fired a broadside. At this period, being very near the heavy battery of Fort Breganson, I laid him instantly onboard, and Lieutenant Lydiard, at the head of the boarders, with an intrepidity that no words can describe entered and carried her in about ten minutes, although he met with a spirited resistance from the captain (who fell) and a hundred men under arms to receive him ... After lashing the two ships together, I found some difficulty in getting from under the battery, which kept up a very heavy fire, and was not able to return through the Grande Passe before half after one o'clock this morning...
— J. Macnamara, [6]
The prize, a 24-gun
Captain of Cerberus
Southampton returned to Britain within a few months of the battle, and Macnamara was appointed to command the 32-gun
Duel
While ashore, Macnamara became embroiled in a
The following letter, addressed to his brother John at Llangoed Castle, gives details of the encounter and its cause.
Thursday
My dear Brother.—Ere this reaches you the news of the unfortunate business between Colonel Montgomery and me, yesterday, will be known to your part of the world. The unfortunate but mistaken man brought it upon himself, as you will find by the following details. Yesterday, riding in the park with John, accompanied by Captain Barrie, whom you know, Colonel Montgomery’s dog attacked Lion, who, not being perfectly patient of insults, attacked in his turn; on which the Colonel got off his horse and in a violent passion said that he would knock the dog down whomsoever he belonged to. I told him the dog was mine. He then answered he did not care to whom the dog belonged, and answered me in the most arrogant and authoritative manner imaginable to call my dog off immediately. Not being used to such manners or language, I civilly, but with an impressive manner, told him that I saw no reason why he should dictate to me or address me (Captain Macnamara) with violence; that in a public ride such as Hyde Park no man could be answerable for what his dog did to another ; and that all the gentlemen present (of whom there were many about us) must be astonished at his improper and arrogant conduct. The Colonel then frequently and loudly repeated that I knew where to find him if I felt myself offended. I remonstrated, but he continued, “ You know where to find me,” accompanied with look and manner so very contemptuous that I decided at once. I spoke to Captain Barrie who rode up to the Colonel. I left choice of time, place, and weapons to the Colonel, who took out his watch with an air of great sans froid, and said in two hours’ time (it being then five o’clock) he would meet me on Primrose Hill, with pistols, saying all gentlemen fought with these weapons. I immediately despatched John, for Mr. Heavyside, and Barrie to Cooper’s for pistols, and we were all in less than an hour on Primrose Hill, where we waited a long time. Sir W. Ker the other friend, wanted to defer it. I would not, as I only obeyed the call; it must go on. Poor Montgomery arrived at last, but with a different mien to what I saw him in two hours before. The ground was measured ; to level together and fire when we liked. He fired first, and wounded me ; I fired afterwards, fatally, as the ball passed through his heart. I can write no more of this melancholy subject.J. Macnamara.
I forgot to tell you that John[note 1] was present the whole time ; his conduct I shall never forget, manly and decided, with great sensibility, more than belongs to his years.
Napoleonic Wars
Macnamara returned to service with the resumption of the wars with France and took command of the 64-gun
Flag rank and later life
Macnamara was promoted to rear admiral on 4 June 1814, but never had an active command.[9] He married Henrietta, the widow of Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. George Carleton, on 26 January 1818.[3][9][b] Rear-Admiral James Macnamara died at Clifton, Bristol, on 15 January 1826 at the age of 57.[3][9]
Notes
- ^ Captain Macnamara's nephew.
a. ^ Lydiard went on to achieve considerable success in his own right, until his death in the wreck of HMS Anson in 1807.[7]
b. ^ George Carleton was the son of Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester. George had been killed at the siege of Bergen op Zoom in 1814.[3]
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f Marshall. Royal Naval Biography. p. 685.
- ^ a b c d e f g Tracy. Who's Who in Nelson's Navy. p. 235.
- ^ doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/17708. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ Winfield. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1794–1817. p. 175.
- ^ a b c d e f Campbell. The naval history of Great Britain. p. 190.
- ^ a b c d Campbell. The Naval History of Great Britain. p. 191.
- ^ a b Tracy. Who's Who in Nelson's Navy. p. 231.
- ^ Winfield. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1794–1817. p. 214.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Tracy. Who's Who in Nelson's Navy. p. 236.
- ^ a b c d Marshall. Royal Naval Biography. p. 687.
- ^ a b c Marshall. Royal Naval Biography. p. 688.
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/17708. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ a b Tracy. Who's Who in Nelson's Navy. p. 236.
- ^ Marshall. Royal Naval Biography. p. 688.
- ^ a b c Marshall. Royal Naval Biography. p. 689.
- ^ Marshall. Royal Naval Biography. p. 689.
- ^ Winfield. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1794–1817. p. 91.
- ^ Winfield. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1794–1817. p. 49.
- ^ a b Marshall. Royal Naval Biography. p. 691.
- ^ Winfield. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1794–1817. p. 89.
References
- Campbell, John; Stockdale, John Joseph (1818). The Naval History of Great Britain: Commencing with the Earliest Period of History, and Continued to the Expedition against Algiers, Under the Command of Lord Exmouth, in 1816. Including the History and Lives of British Admirals. Vol. 8. London: Baldwyn and co.
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/17708. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- Marshall, John (1823). Royal Naval Biography : Or, Memoirs of the Services of All the Flag-officers, Superannuated Rear-admirals, Retired-captains, Post-captains, and Commanders, Whose Names Appeared on the Admiralty List of Sea Officers at the Commencement of the Present Year, Or who Have Since Been Promoted, Illustrated by a Series of Historical and Explanatory Notes ... with Copious Addenda. Vol. 1. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown.
- Tracy, Nicholas (2006). Who's Who in Nelson's Navy: 200 Naval Heroes. London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 1-86176-244-5.
- Winfield, Rif (2007). ISBN 978-1-86176-246-7.