Thomas Macdonough

Thomas Macdonough (born December 31, 1783, The Trap, Delaware, United States—died November 10, 1825, at sea en route from the Mediterranean Sea to New York City) was a U.S. naval officer who won one of the most important victories in the War of 1812 at the Battle of Plattsburgh (Battle of Lake Champlain) against the British.

Entering the navy as a midshipman in 1800, Macdonough saw service during the U.S. war with Tripoli (1801–05). When war broke out with England, his major assignment was to cruise the lakes between Canada and the United States. When enemy ground forces threatened Plattsburgh, New York—the U.S. Army headquarters on the northern frontier—Macdonough’s foresight and painstaking preparation for battle paid off. On September 11, 1814, his 14-ship fleet met the British in the harbour and, after several hours of severe fighting, forced the 16-vessel squadron to surrender, thus saving New York and Vermont from invasion.

The victory brought Macdonough the thanks of the U.S. Congress and promotion to captain. More important, it left the British no grounds for territorial claims in the Great Lakes area at the peace negotiations that followed. In failing health, he died en route home after serving on various European assignments.