USS Montgomery (DD-121)-- Part 16: John B. Montgomery, Ship's Namesake

From Geni.

Also during the War of 1812, John B. Montgomery participated in attack on Kingston, Upper Canada (Ontario), and capture of Little York, Fort George and Newark

After the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813, he received a sword and the thanks of Congress for his services at that battle.  Later he was present during the blockade and attack on Macknaw in August 1814.

Still later, he  was transferred to the USS Ontario under  Commander Stephen Decatur with whom he took part in the Algerine War (2nd Barbary War) of 1815.

Commissioned to the rank of lieutenant in 1818, he continued to rise through the ranks and in 1845, was given the command of the USS Portsmouth in the Navy's Pacific Fleet.  (The Portsmouth also fought in the Civil War.)

When the Mexican War started, he took his ship to San Francisco Bay.  On July 9, 1846, he led a small force from his ship to te coastal town of Yerba Buena and raised the American flag in the town plaza after capturing it without firing a shot.

In 1847, the town would be renamed officially San Francisco.

He also participated in  the blockade of Mazatlan, Mexico, and the bombardment and capture of Guaymas on the Gulf of California.

--Old B-Runner

What About That CSS United States C.S.R.S.?

In the last post, I wrote that Sinclair was stationed on this ship as a surgeon.  Well, let's face it, a ship commissioned in the Confederate Navy with a name like the United States might seem a bit strange.  So, I did a little more research on it.

From Wikipedia.

USS UNITED STATES

This ship certainly had a long and distinguished history in the United States Navy and was one of the  six original frigates authorized by the USS Congress under the Naval Act of 1794.  This means she was a sister ship of the famed USS Constitution.

She was built in Philadelphia at a cost of $299,336 and launched on 10 May 1797.

She saw service in the Quasi War with France, but did not participate in the First Barbary War.  In the War of 1812, she had a famed battle with the HMS  Macedonian.

--Old B-Runner

CDR. Arthur Sinclair, CSN-- Part 1: His Father Was a U.S. Navy Officer 1798-1831

From Find-A-Grave.

Birth:  29 November 1810 in Norfolk, Virginia

Death:  14 January 1865 in Fylde Burrough Lancashire, England

Buried:  Fleetwood Cemetery, Wyre Burrough, Lancashire, England

********************************

His father was Arthur Sinclair,  Commodore, U.S. Navy.

Born:  28 February 1780,  Mecklenburg County, Virginia

Died:  7 February 1831, Norfolk, Virginia

Buried:  Cedar Grove Cenglemetery, Norfolk, Virginia.

Entered U,S, Navy service as a midshipman on November 15, 1798.  became captain on July 28, 1813.

Served in the Quasi War with France, the First Barbary War and the War of 1812.

--Old B-R'er

George Henry Preble, USN-- Part 1: Wrote About Him In My Not So Forgotten Blog

From Wikipedia.

Last week, I wrote about his capturing a Chinese pirate's flag in battle back in the 1840s in my Not So Forgotten: War of 1812 blog.  He also was an officer in the Civil War.

February 25, 1816 to March 1, 1884

American naval officer and writer.  Notable for his book on the American flag and he took the first photograph of the Fort McHenry flag which inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner."  Wikipedia has the picture of the flag Preble took the photo of where you can get an idea of its size because of the soldier standing in front of it.

He was born in Portsmouth, Maine, to a seafaring family which included an uncle by the name of Commodore Edward Preble, famous for his Barbary Wars exploits.

George Preble entered the Navy as a midshipman December 10, 1835, and served on the War of 1812 ship, the frigate USS United States until 1838.

--Old B-R'er