Among the prizes taken by the USS Essex was the whaler Atlantic. Captain Porter fitted it out as a cruiser and classified it as a sloop-of-war with twenty guns and named her Essex Junior. The ship was placed under the command of Lieutenant Downes. The Essex and Essex Junior were both captured at the same time on 28 March 1814.
Downes was promoted to master commandant in 1813 and two years later commanded the brig Epervier in the squadron under the command of Stephen Decatur against Algiers. On June 17, 1815, he assisted in the capture of the Algerian frigate Mashouda. Two days later, the Eperviere and three smaller vessels captured the Algerian brig Estedio off Cape Palos.
After the conclusion of peace with Algiers, Decatur transferred Downes to his ship, the USS Guerriere.
Downes also served on the Ontario and Independence before becoming a captain in 1817.
--Brock-Perry
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