MacDonough, Thomas (redirected from Thomas MacDonough)

Macdonough, Thomas (məkdŏn`ə), 1783–1825, American naval officer, b. New Castle co., Del. In the Tripolitan War he took part in the burning of the captured Philadelphia and the attack on the Tripolitan gunboats. In the War of 1812, given command of a small fleet on Lake Champlain, Macdonough augmented his strength by building ships from the local forests. On Sept. 11, 1814, in a pitched battle, his makeshift fleet defeated the British and thoroughly disrupted the British plans that required control of the lake. By superior skill and planning Macdonough on his flagship, the Saratoga (26 guns), was able to defeat the Confiance (37 guns) in one of the most significant naval battles in U.S. history.

Bibliography

See C. G. Muller, The Proudest Day: Macdonough on Lake Champlain (1960) and Hero of Two Seas (1968).

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Macdonough, Thomas

(born Dec. 31, 1783, The Trap, Del., U.S.—died Nov. 10, 1825, at sea en route from the Mediterranean Sea to New York City) U.S. naval officer. He joined the navy in 1800 and served with Stephen Decatur in the Tripolitan War. In the War of 1812 he was ordered to cruise the lakes between Canada and the U.S. When British troops threatened Plattsburg, N.Y., site of U.S. Army headquarters on the northern frontier, he sailed his 14-ship fleet to meet the British 16-ship squadron on Lake Champlain. His victory there (Sept. 11, 1814) saved New York and Vermont from invasion.

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MacDonough, Thomas (1783–1825) naval officer; born in New Castle County, Delaware. He entered the navy in 1800 and served in the Tripolitan War. During the War of 1812, he built and commanded a small fleet on Lake Champlain. He won a decisive victory against a British fleet at Plattsburgh (1814). He died at sea while returning from command of the Mediterranean Squadron.