Ross Donnelly
| Sir Ross Donnelly | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1761 |
| Died | 30 September 1840 |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 Royal Navy
|
| Years of service | 1780–1814 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Battles/wars |
American Revolutionary War • Siege of Charleston French Revolutionary Wars • Glorious First of June • Action of 12 May 1796 Napoleonic Wars |
Admiral Sir Ross Donnelly, KCB, (c. 1761 – 30 September 1840) was a Royal Navy officer of the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries who is known for his service during the American Revolutionary War, French Revolutionary War and Napoleonic Wars. He was first lieutenant on HMS Montagu at the Glorious First of June and assumed command after the death of Captain James Montagu. Promoted to post captain in June 1795, Donnelly was given HMS Pegasus in which he participated in the Action of 12 May 1796.
Ross Donnelly was born circa 1761, the son of a Dr. Donnelly. He joined the Royal Navy in the 1770s and served off the Eastern Seaboard of North America during the Revolutionary War, seeing action at the Siege of Charleston. He was subsequently transferred to Newfoundland and, as a lieutenant, given command of the sloop HMS Morning Star for the remainder of the war. During the peace of 1783 to 1793, Donnelly joined the fleet of the Honourable East India Company, serving as a mate before rejoining the Navy at the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars.
Donnelly was assigned to the 74 gun ship of the line HMS Montagu under Captain James Montagu and served in the Channel Fleet, joining the fleet under Lord Howe that participated in the Atlantic campaign of May 1794 and fought at the Glorious First of June. Montagu was heavily engaged with the French ship Neptune and Captain Montagu was killed in the early stages, command devolving on Donnelly. Donnelly commanded the ship with skill and was commended, but due to his rank was denied the rewards that went to the victorious captains. In June 1795, Donnelly was promoted to post captain and took command of the frigate HMS Pegasus, serving with the North Sea Fleet and participating in the Action of 12 May 1796 off the Dutch coast.
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