British 24 Pounder - US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. - Military Ground Equipment Displays on Waymarking.com

Commodore Thomas MacDonough captured the British flagship Confiance at the Battle of Lake Champlain, a.k.a. 'The Battle of Plattsburg', September 11, 1814. This cannon was from that ship & the taking of it makes this a 'Trophy Cannon'.

This gun has a dent on the muzzle from an American shot which caused the gun to recoil and kill the British commander, Downie. Inscriptions are chiseled into the granite mount beneath the cannon.

Capt. George Downie commanded the British fleet which attacked the American fleet anchored in Lake Champlain in the Battle of Plattsburgh. Downie led inexperienced crews on untested ships into a battle where the winds were not in his favor. Downie's crew, many of them from provincial units, faced American forces with more preparation time and more favorable positioning.

Fifteen minutes into the battle, Captain Downie was sighting a gun when the muzzle was struck with a shot from Saratoga. The force of the blow was so extreme that it ripped the 2,000-pound barrel out of the carriage, flipped it up on end and crushed Downie to the deck, killing him.

After several of the other officers had also been killed or injured, Confiance's fire become steadily less effective. MacDonough, aboard the USS Saratoga, skillfully maneuvered to gain the advantage, wrecking incredible carnage on the HMS Confiance and HMS Linnet, forcing their remaining officers to surrender what remained of their vessels and crew.

Just over two and one half hours after the first gun had been fired, not one of the larger vessels had a mast that would bear a sail, and those vessels captured from the British were barely afloat.

This is just 1 of numerous points of Naval History found on & around the Naval Academy. There are few structures here that don't have some major significance. When you walk the grounds you are walking through several hundred years of our history. It can sometimes be a bit overwhelming but it is a beautiful place with gorgeous views to make the learning a bit easier.

Location restrictions: This site is located on the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. There is no fee but you will be required to have either a sticker on your vehicle or a visitors pass. The grounds are open for the public with proper ID unless there is a restricted event going on.

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