Abstract:
Although he was born in Ireland, Johnson Blakely is considered by many to be North Carolina's greatest hero of the sea. Blakely distinguished himself at the University of North Carolina by threatening to throw President Caldwell out the window. In 1799, he joined the American navy, and served twelve years before taking command of his own ship. During the War of 1812, he had many battles with and captures of British ships. His ship was last seen on October 19, 1814, then captain and crew vanished forever.