John Downes (naval officer)

John Downes
Born	December 23, 1784 Canton, Massachusetts
Died	August 11, 1854 (aged 67–68) Charlestown, Massachusetts
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1800–1852
Rank	Commodore
Commands held	Georgiana Essex Junior USS Epervier USS Macedonian Pacific Squadron USS Java USS Potomac
Battles/wars	First Barbary War Action of 22 May 1803 Action of 27 May 1803 Second Battle of Tripoli Harbor War of 1812 USS Essex vs HMS Alert Action off James Island Action off Charles Island Nuku Hiva Campaign Battle of Valparaiso Second Barbary War Battle off Cape Gata Battle off Cape Palos First Sumatran Expedition Battle of Quallah Battoo Peruvian War of Independence Callao Affair

First Barbary War

War of 1812

Second Barbary War

First Sumatran Expedition

Peruvian War of Independence

Commodore John Downes (1784 – 11 August 1854) was an officer in the United States Navy, whose service covered the first half of the 19th century.

Born in Canton, Massachusetts, Downes served as acting midshipman from 9 September 1800 and was appointed midshipman 1 June 1802. He rendered distinguished service during the First Barbary War in 1804 in the frigate Congress, and distinguished himself again while a midshipman on the frigate New York in a boat attack upon Tripolitan feluccas.

In March 1807, he was made a lieutenant, and served as executive officer for Captain David Porter in Essex during her cruise in the Pacific in the War of 1812. In the Action off James Island, Downes was in command of the sloop Georgiana during the capture of three British privateers. He also participated in the Action off Charles Island before sailing to Nuku Hiva to assist in building America's first military base in the Pacific.

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