Arthur Sinclair, USN

Thanks again, Wikipedia.

Saturday, I wrote about the current naval officer, Lt.j.g. Lloyd Mustin who found his fifth great grandfather's grave, Arthur Sinclair.  I had never heard of Arthur Sinclair, so good old Wiki to the rescue for a fast fix.

Born Feb. 28, 1780.  Died Feb. 7, 1831.

Also served in the First Barbary War.  He had three sons who also served in the US Navy, even though all three resigned and served in the Confederate Navy.  He was also the great grandfather of novelist Upton Sinclair who wrote "The Jungle" in 1906.

From Oct. 12 to Dec. 17, he commanded the Argus and cruised with the North Atlantic Squadron, taking a number of prizes.  During this time, the Argus was once separated from the fleet and chased by British ships for three days before escaping because of Sinclair's excellent ship handling.

On May 18, 1813, Sinclair was ordered to the squadron on Lake Ontario under command of General Pike and participated in the engagement of September 28, 1813.  In 1814, he commanded the USS Niagara on Lake Huron and Lake Superior and directed the Naval squadron at the Battle of Mackinac Island and the engagement on Lake Huron.

Promoted to captain in 1813, he commanded the USS Congress in 1817, served in Washington, DC in 1818.  The following year, he commanded the Norfolk Station and established a naval school, forerunner of the USNA, on the Guerriere.  He died at Norfolk.

An Interesting Life.  --Brock-Perry