Robert Barclay
Robert Heriott Barlclay was born on September 18, 1786 at Kings Kettle Manse. Having great acedemic potential his mother was disappointed when instead Robert choose the Royal Navy.
After being a midshipman for gunboats Barclay decided to take the promotion examination. Having passed the crucial test, he was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned to Swiftsure. Swiftsure was in the battle against France and Spain. After the war and having the Swiftsure paid off for damage Barclay took a two month leave.
In December 1809 he was shipped to the North American station. He served as lieutenand until March of 1813 when he was then promoted to commander and was stationed at Lake Ontario. Barclay was only commodore for a short period of time until a more trained officer came. Barclay was then sent to Lake Erie to command a small squadron. The Detroit became Barclay's flagship and with its strength Barclay could contest Perry for control of Lake Erie.
After being a midshipman for gunboats Barclay decided to take the promotion examination. Having passed the crucial test, he was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned to Swiftsure. Swiftsure was in the battle against France and Spain. After the war and having the Swiftsure paid off for damage Barclay took a two month leave.
In December 1809 he was shipped to the North American station. He served as lieutenand until March of 1813 when he was then promoted to commander and was stationed at Lake Ontario. Barclay was only commodore for a short period of time until a more trained officer came. Barclay was then sent to Lake Erie to command a small squadron. The Detroit became Barclay's flagship and with its strength Barclay could contest Perry for control of Lake Erie.