1. Sir Robert Barrie was a British naval officer noted for his service in the War of 1812.
34 Facts About Robert Barrie
1. 2.
Robert Barrie was helped early in his naval career by the patronage of his uncle, Sir Alan Gardner, who arranged for him to take part in the Vancouver Expedition.
3.
Robert Barrie attained the rank of Rear-Admiral in the Royal Navy.
4.
Robert Barrie was mentioned in dispatches for his gallant conduct in a fight with a French squadron when, as First Lieutenant of Bourdelais, "though dangerously wounded, he had disdained to quit the deck".
5.
Robert Barrie captured a privateer commanded by De Boissi, the Adjutant-General of France.
6.
Robert Barrie was particularly active during the War of 1812, carrying out several successful attacks on American towns and shipping in the Penobscot River region, and helping to destroy the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla.
7.
In 1813 Robert Barrie collected runaway slaves from the Maryland and Virginia shores.
8.
Robert Barrie was active in a number of areas, building and expanding the dockyard and promoting important hydrographic surveys and the construction of canals.
9.
Robert Barrie's instructions were to expedite the repair of the vessels at the bases in case of any emergency.
10.
In March 1824 Robert Barrie was listed as "Acting Resident Commissioner, Kingston, Upper Canada" and his headquarters was shown to have been transferred to Kingston.
11.
Robert Barrie cultivated friendships with several important political figures, and on his return to England in 1834 received a number of honours.
12.
Robert Barrie's mother returned to England on the death of her husband in 1775, and settled in Preston, Lancashire.
13.
Robert Barrie gained an acting promotion to Lieutenant on the expedition, and commanded a survey party on the northern coast of what is British Columbia.
14.
In 1800 Robert Barrie served in the West Indies under Thomas Manby, who had taken part in the Vancouver expedition.
15.
On 23 October 1801 Robert Barrie received a promotion to commander, and seven months later was advanced to post-captain while commanding the 16-gun sloop Calypso.
16.
Robert Barrie captured two significant Frenchmen during this period, the adjutant general of France, Chevalier Charles de Boissi, in June 1809, and Napoleon's brother Lucien Bonaparte, in October 1810, while Lucien was attempting to escape to America from Italy.
17.
Robert Barrie was then ordered to bring the British ambassador to Persia back to England, but Pomone was sunk while approaching Portsmouth.
18.
Robert Barrie served as the commodore of the squadron for several months, and captured over 85 vessels.
19.
Forces under Robert Barrie went on to destroy the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla.
20.
Robert Barrie went onto half pay after the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815.
21.
Robert Barrie married Julia Wharton Ingilby on 24 October 1816 and went to live in France.
22.
Robert Barrie returned to service in January 1819, with the post of commissioner of the dockyard at Kingston, Upper Canada.
23.
Robert Barrie's instructions were to expedite the repair of the vessels at the bases in case of any emergency.
24.
Robert Barrie settled at Point Frederick, Kingston and among his achievements was the construction of a three-storey stone warehouse between 1819 and 1820.
25.
In March 1824 Robert Barrie was listed as "Acting Resident Commissioner, Kingston, Upper Canada" and his headquarters was shown to have been transferred to Kingston.
26.
Robert Barrie exerted himself in a number of maritime-related matters, including the International Boundary Commission.
27.
Robert Barrie promoted a hydrographic survey of the Saint Lawrence River and the Great Lakes, the building of the Rideau and Welland canals, and relations with the United States.
28.
Robert Barrie became particular friends with a number of politicians, including Governors Lord Dalhousie and his successor Lord Aylmer, and Sir Peregrine Maitland and his wife Lady Sarah.
29.
Robert Barrie returned to England in 1825 and was consulted by the Admiralty on the naval establishments and defences of the Canadas.
30.
Robert Barrie was promoted to commodore first class and returned to Kingston in 1827.
31.
Robert Barrie remained there until June 1834, when the inland naval establishment was abolished.
32.
Robert Barrie was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Guelphic Order and was knighted by King William IV.
33.
Robert Barrie was promoted to rear-admiral in 1837, and in 1840 was further honoured by being created a Knight Commander of the Bath.
34.
Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Barrie died on 7 June 1841 at his seat in Swarthdale.