Rear-Admiral Donat Henchy O'Brien (March 178513 May 1857) was an officer of the Royal Navy. He was the son of a Royal Navy captain who claimed descent from an ancient Irish king. O'Brien served as a
midshipman
A midshipman is an officer of the lowest Military rank#Subordinate/student officer, rank in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Royal Cana ...
during the
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars () were a series of sweeping military conflicts resulting from the French Revolution that lasted from 1792 until 1802. They pitted French First Republic, France against Kingdom of Great Britain, Great Britain, Habsb ...
and commanded a troop-carrying vessel during the
Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland
The Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland (or Anglo-Russian expedition to Holland, or Helder Expedition) was a military campaign from 27 August to 19 November 1799 during the War of the Second Coalition, in which an expeditionary force of British and ...
. He was afterwards appointed acting
lieutenant
A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a Junior officer, junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations, as well as fire services, emergency medical services, Security agency, security services ...
and served as a
master's mate
Master's mate is an obsolete rating which was used by the British Royal Navy, Royal Navy, United States Navy and merchant services in both countries for a senior petty officer who assisted the sailing master, master. Master's mates evolved into th ...
on the frigate
''Hussar''. While returning to England in 1804, the ship was wrecked on the
ÃŽle de Sein
The Île de Sein is a Breton island in the Atlantic Ocean, off Finistère, eight kilometres from the Pointe du Raz (''raz'' meaning "water current"), from which it is separated by the Raz de Sein. Its Breton name is ''Enez-Sun''. The islan ...
and O'Brien and other crew were captured by the French. O'Brien was imprisoned in France but escaped in 1808 and reached a British vessel at
Trieste
Trieste ( , ; ) is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is the capital and largest city of the Regions of Italy#Autonomous regions with special statute, autonomous region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, as well as of the Province of Trieste, ...
. He later wrote a book about his experiences.
O'Brien was afterwards promoted to lieutenant and served with the
Mediterranean Fleet
The British Mediterranean Fleet, also known as the Mediterranean Station, was a formation of the Royal Navy. The Fleet was one of the most prestigious commands in the navy for the majority of its history, defending the vital sea link between ...
during the
Napoleonic Wars
{{Infobox military conflict
, conflict = Napoleonic Wars
, partof = the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
, image = Napoleonic Wars (revision).jpg
, caption = Left to right, top to bottom:Battl ...
. He distinguished himself in a number of boat actions, capturing numerous warships and cargo vessels. In 1818 O'Brien was posted to the
South America Station
The South America Station was a formation of the Royal Navy which existed from 1808 to 1838 when it was split into the Pacific Station and the South East Coast of America Station.
Following the invasion of Portugal by Napoleon, the Portuguese co ...
and served there during the early part of the
Argentine Civil Wars
The Argentine Civil Wars were a series of civil conflicts of varying intensity that took place in the territories of Argentina from 1814 to 1853. Beginning concurrently with the Argentine War of Independence (1810–1818), the conflict prevente ...
. In 1821 he returned to England. O'Brien never served at sea again but was promoted to rear-admiral in the reserve in 1852.
Early life and career
Donat Henchy O'Brien was born in March 1785 in Ireland. He was the second son of Michael O'Brien of
Ennistymon
Ennistymon or Ennistimon () is a country market town in County Clare, near the west coast of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The Inagh River, River Inagh, with its small rapids known as the Cascades, runs through the town, behind the main street. ...
, County Clare, a Royal Navy captain who claimed descent from an ancient Irish king and Hannah Henchy of Feenagh, County Clare.
O'Brien joined the
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...
as an
ordinary seaman
__NOTOC__
An ordinary seaman (OS) is a member of the deck department of a ship. The position is an apprenticeship to become an able seaman, and has been for centuries. In modern times, an OS is required to work on a ship for a specific amount ...
on 16 December 1796, and served as a
midshipman
A midshipman is an officer of the lowest Military rank#Subordinate/student officer, rank in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Royal Cana ...
.
He served on the
Home Station on the 64-gun ship-of-the-line
''Overyssel'' (a vessel captured from the Dutch) under the command of Captain
John Bazely
Admiral John Bazely (March 1740 – 22 April 1809) was an experienced and highly respected officer of the British Royal Navy who served in three wars and saw numerous actions, notably during the American War of Independence. He first gained notice ...
, and later Captain John Young.
[ O'Brien, despite his lack of experience, was placed in command of one of the ship's boats.][ During the 1799 ]Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland
The Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland (or Anglo-Russian expedition to Holland, or Helder Expedition) was a military campaign from 27 August to 19 November 1799 during the War of the Second Coalition, in which an expeditionary force of British and ...
he commanded a flat-bottomed boat carrying troops ashore.[ He afterwards was given command of a ]hoy
Hoy may refer to:
People
Given name
* Hoy Menear (died 2023), American politician
* Hoy Phallin (born 1995), Cambodian footballer
* Hoy Wong (1920–2009), American bartender
Surname
* Hoy (surname), a Scottish and Irish surname
* H� ...
which, heavily ballasted with stone, was intended to sink at the entrance of the harbour in Goeree (Goeree-Overflakkee
Goeree-Overflakkee () is the southernmost river delta, delta island of the Provinces of the Netherlands, province of South Holland, Netherlands. It is separated from Voorne-Putten and Hoeksche Waard by the Haringvliet, from the mainland of North ...
) to block in three Dutch ships-of-the-line.[ A sudden squall caused the hoy to sink and O'Brien and his crew were rescued, after some difficulty, by a boat from the hired armed ]cutter
Cutter may refer to:
Tools
* Bolt cutter
* Box cutter
* Cigar cutter
* Cookie cutter
* Cutter (hydraulic rescue tool)
* Glass cutter
* Meat cutter
* Milling cutter
* Paper cutter
* Pizza cutter
* Side cutter
People
* Cutter (surname)
* Cutt ...
''Lion''.[
]
Capture and escape
In January 1800 O'Brien was appointed acting lieutenant of the 16-gun brig-sloop , commanded by Captain Anselm John Griffiths. As ''Atalante'' was short-handed, lacking a lieutenant, master, boatswain, and gunner, O'Brien remained on board for three months, harassing Dutch shipping off the Flemish banks, Dunkirk and Gravelines.[ O'Brien afterwards returned to ''Overyssel'' and from December 1801 was employed for two periods on board the 54-gun ship-of-the-line as ]master's mate
Master's mate is an obsolete rating which was used by the British Royal Navy, Royal Navy, United States Navy and merchant services in both countries for a senior petty officer who assisted the sailing master, master. Master's mates evolved into th ...
. He passed the lieutenant's exam and was appointed master's mate of the frigate . ''Hussar'' was returning to England with dispatches from Ferrol, Spain
Ferrol (, ) is a city in the province of A Coruña in Galicia, Spain, located in the RÃas Altas, in the vicinity of Strabo's Cape Nerium (modern-day Cape Prior). According to the 2021 census, the city had a population of 64,785, making it the ...
, on 8 February 1804 when she grounded on the ÃŽle de Sein
The Île de Sein is a Breton island in the Atlantic Ocean, off Finistère, eight kilometres from the Pointe du Raz (''raz'' meaning "water current"), from which it is separated by the Raz de Sein. Its Breton name is ''Enez-Sun''. The islan ...
. The crew were captured by the French and taken into captivity.[
O'Brien was imprisoned at ]Verdun
Verdun ( , ; ; ; official name before 1970: Verdun-sur-Meuse) is a city in the Meuse (department), Meuse departments of France, department in Grand Est, northeastern France. It is an arrondissement of the department.
In 843, the Treaty of V ...
and, from 1807, made attempts to escape, though his first two attempts were thwarted by poor weather and hunger.[ His third attempt was made in conjunction with Maurice Hewson and fellow ''Hussar'' junior officer Henry Ashworth from the citadel at ]Bitche
Bitche (English pronunciation: , ; German and Lorraine Franconian: ) is a commune in Moselle department, in the region of Grand Est in northeastern France. It is the Pays de Bitche's capital city, and the seat of the Canton of Bitche and the ...
on 14 September 1808. The men succeeded in reaching Trieste
Trieste ( , ; ) is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is the capital and largest city of the Regions of Italy#Autonomous regions with special statute, autonomous region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, as well as of the Province of Trieste, ...
by November and were picked up by a boat from the British frigate .[ While on board ''Amphion'' O'Brien participated in attacks on two enemy vessels, during which he was wounded in the right arm. He returned to ]Malta
Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of an archipelago south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The two ...
on to join the second-rate ship-of-the line .[
]
Mediterranean
''Ocean'' was the flagship of Admiral Collingwood
Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood (26 September 1748 – 7 March 1810) was an admiral of the Royal Navy. Collingwood was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and later lived in Morpeth, Northumberland. He entered the Royal Navy at ...
who promoted O'Brien to lieutenant on 29 March 1809 and appointed him to the third-rate ship-of-the-line ''Warrior'' under Captain John William Spranger.[ O'Brien served on ''Warrior'' during operations associated with the capture of the Ionian Islands.][ He returned to ''Amphion'', under Captain ]William Hoste
Captain Sir William Hoste, 1st Baronet, KCB (26 August 17806 December 1828) was a Royal Navy officer who served in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. A protégé of Lord Nelson, he was one of the most talented frigate captains of the ...
, in March 1810.[ On 29 June O'Brien commanded the boats of ''Amphion'' and ''Cerberus'' to provide cover to a landing of sailors and marines at Grao (]Grado
Grado may refer to:
People
* Cristina Grado (1939–2016), Italian film actress
* Jonathan Grado (born 1991), American entrepreneur and photographer
* Francesco De Grado (fl. 1694–1730), Italian engraver
* Gaetano Grado, Italian mafioso
* Grad ...
), Italy, which defeated a French force and captured a large quantity of naval stores bound for Venice.[ O'Brien served as second lieutenant on ''Amphion'' during the 13 March 1811 Battle of Lissa, a significant victory for Hoste against a Franco-Italian force.][ O'Brien returned to Malta in command of one of the prizes, the frigate '' Bellona''.][
Hoste brought O'Brien with him when he assumed command of the newly built 38-gun fifth-rate frigate ''Bacchante''. O'Brien distinguished himself on board this vessel and in command of its boats.][ This included on the night of 31 August/1 September 1812 when he attacked French and Venetian vessels in Lema Bay (between ]Vrsar
Vrsar (Italian and Venetian: Orsera) is a seaside village and a municipality in Istria, west Croatia, located 9 kilometers south of PoreÄ. The historical center is located on top of a hill, including the St. Martin parish church and the 40-mete ...
and Rovinj
Rovinj (; Venetian and ; Istriot: or ; ; ) is a city in west Croatia situated on the north Adriatic Sea with a population of 14,294 (2011). Located on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, it is a popular tourist resort and beach destin ...
in Istria
Istria ( ; Croatian language, Croatian and Slovene language, Slovene: ; Italian language, Italian and Venetian language, Venetian: ; ; Istro-Romanian language, Istro-Romanian: ; ; ) is the largest peninsula within the Adriatic Sea. Located at th ...
). O'Brien cut out seven cargo ships carrying shipbuilding timber to Venice and captured the French xebec
A xebec ( or ), also spelled zebec, was a Mediterranean sailing ship that originated in the barbary states (Algeria), it was used mostly for trading. Xebecs had a long overhanging bowsprit and aft-set mizzen mast. The term can also refer to a ...
''La Tisiphone'' and two gunboats, with no British loss of life. On 18 September, commanding six boats and 72 men, he captured eight enemy war vessels and a convoy of 18 cargo ships that ''Bacchante'' chased onto the coastline between Tremiti (Tremiti Islands
The Tremiti Islands (, ), also literarily known as Isole Diomedee (" Diomedean Islands", from Greek ), are an archipelago in the Adriatic Sea, some offshore to the north of the Gargano Peninsula. They constitute a of Italy's Province of Foggi ...
) and Vasto
Vasto ( Abruzzese: '; , ) is a ''comune'' on the Adriatic coast of the Province of Chieti, in southern Abruzzo, Italy. During the Middle Ages it was called ''Guastaymonis'', '' Vasto d'Aimone'' or ''Waste d'Aimone''. Fascist Italy called the city ...
, Italy. In November he commanded boats from ''Bacchante'', ''Eagle'' and ''Achille'' which landed at Fesano (Fažana
Fažana (; , ) is a village and a municipality on the southwestern coast of Istria in Croatia. It is a fishing village.
Name
Fažana, which in Roman times carried the name of and then , derives its name from the presence in Roman times of cerami ...
), Istria, and, despite a garrison of 300 soldiers, captured a large quantity of oak timber owned by the French government. On 6 January 1813 O'Brien captured three gunboats near Otranto
Otranto (, , ; ; ; ; ) is a coastal town, port and ''comune'' in the province of Lecce (Apulia, Italy), in a fertile region once famous for its breed of horses. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").
...
in Southern Italy, with no British casualties.[
]
Later career
O'Brien was promoted to commander on 22 January 1813 and left ''Bacchante'' in April, returning to England as a passenger on Watkin Owen Pell
Sir Watkin Owen Pell (1788 – 29 December 1869) was a British Royal Navy admiral.
Biography
Pell was the son of Samuel Pell of Sywell Hall, Northamptonshire, and, on the mother's side, grandson of Owen Owen of Llaneyher, Denbighshire. He entere ...
's ''Thunder''.[ O'Brien was without a command until 1818 but in 1814 published an account of his shipwreck on ''Hussar'' and his subsequent escape to Trieste.][ In 1818, after the end of the ]Napoleonic Wars
{{Infobox military conflict
, conflict = Napoleonic Wars
, partof = the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
, image = Napoleonic Wars (revision).jpg
, caption = Left to right, top to bottom:Battl ...
, he was appointed to command the 20-gun HMS ''Slaney''. He served on the South America Station
The South America Station was a formation of the Royal Navy which existed from 1808 to 1838 when it was split into the Pacific Station and the South East Coast of America Station.
Following the invasion of Portugal by Napoleon, the Portuguese co ...
and, after Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy was posted to the west, was senior commander on the Atlantic coast of this station. O'Brien held this role during the early part of the Argentine Civil Wars
The Argentine Civil Wars were a series of civil conflicts of varying intensity that took place in the territories of Argentina from 1814 to 1853. Beginning concurrently with the Argentine War of Independence (1810–1818), the conflict prevente ...
, a time when Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, controlled by the government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southwest of the RÃo de la Plata. Buenos Aires is classified as an Alpha− glob ...
was at war with neighbouring provinces. He was successful in persuading the Buenos Aires government not to proceed with its intention to draft British residents into its army and to appropriate their possessions.[ O'Brien was promoted to captain on 5 March 1821 and left South America in October, returning to Britain on board the frigate ''Owen Glendower''.][
O'Brien married Hannah Walsley in England on 28 June 1825, and they had seven children together.][ In 1839 he published a two-volume memoir;][O'Brien, Donat Henchy, ''My Adventures During the Late War'']
/ref> this, alongside those published by O'Brien's shipmate Ashworth and by Edward Boys Edward Boys may refer to:
*Sir Edward Boys (MP) (1579–1646), MP for Fowey, Christchurch, Sandwich and Dover
* Edward Boys (Royal Navy officer) (1785–1866), English sea captain
* Edward James Boys (1916–2002), English military author
* Edward ...
, served as the basis for Frederick Marryat
Captain Frederick Marryat (10 July 1792 – 9 August 1848) was a Royal Navy officer and novelist. He is noted today as an early pioneer of nautical fiction, particularly for his semi-autobiographical novel '' Mr Midshipman Easy'' (1836). He is ...
's novel ''Peter Simple'', whose title character was a Royal Navy midshipman. O'Brien would see no further active service but was promoted to rear-admiral on the reserve list on 8 March 1852. He died at Yew House, Hoddesdon
Hoddesdon () is a town in the Borough of Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, lying entirely within the London Metropolitan Area and Greater London Urban Area. The area is on the River Lea and the Lee Navigation along with the New River.
Hoddesdon ...
, Hertfordshire, on 13 May 1857 and was commemorated in a memorial window in St Augustine's Church, Broxbourne
St Augustine's Church is an active Church in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, England. The church stands opposite the New River. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building
History
The church is men ...
.[
]
References
External links
* ''My Adventures During the Late War
https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/49911
by Donat Henchy O'Brien on Gutenberg.org
{{Authority control
1785 births
1857 deaths
Royal Navy rear admirals
Royal Navy personnel of the French Revolutionary Wars
Royal Navy personnel of the Napoleonic Wars
People from Ennistymon
Military personnel from County Clare
Irish officers in the Royal Navy