Silas Duncan
| Silas Duncan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1788 Rockaway Township, New Jersey |
| Died | 1834 White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/ |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1809-1834 |
| Rank | Commander |
| Commands held | USS Lexington |
| Battles/wars | Falklands Expedition |
Silas M. Duncan (1788 – 14 September 1834) was an officer in the United States Navy during the War of 1812.
Born in Rockaway Township, New Jersey, Duncan was appointed midshipman 15 November 1809. While third lieutenant of Saratoga during the Battle of Lake Champlain, 11 September 1814, he was sent in a gig to order the gunboats to retire. He succeeded in delivering the orders despite concentrated enemy fire which severely wounded him and caused the loss of his right arm. For his gallant conduct he was thanked by Congress. From 1818 to 1824 Commander Duncan saw active service on board Independence, Hornet, Guerriere, Cyane, and Ferret.
On February 3, 1831, He married Martha Dandridge Aylett, granddaughter of American patriot Patrick Henry, third youngest of six daughters from among the 13 children of Philip Aylett, of King William County, VA.
In 1831, he commanded the Lexington, which had been sent to reinforce the Brazil Squadron to protect American commerce, in part a response to Argentine proclamations on sealing and fishing in the South Atlantic. In July 1831, under orders from Luis Vernet (appointed Military and Civil Commander in the Falkland Islands by Buenos Aires), his deputy Matthew Brisbane seized the American vessels Superior, Breakwater and Harriet, charging them with sealing in the Falkland Islands in contravention of Vernet's regulations. The Breakwater escaped and the Superior was allowed to continue sealing on Vernet's terms. Vernet returned in the Harriet to Buenos Aires to arrange for a trial. After this seizure of American vessels the Lexington sailed for Port Louis to put an end to what was regarded by the US as a "nest of pirates". On 31 December 1831, the Lexington came to anchor off Port Louis, Brisbane and six others were arrested on charges of piracy, the guns of the settlement spiked and the powder magazine blown. Duncan also offered passage to any from the settlement that wished to leave, and the majority of the population took up this opportunity to leave the islands. The Lexington arrived in Montevideo on 3 February 1832, where those given passage were released, but Brisbane and six others remained as prisoners until 16 April, when they were transferred to the USS Warren. Brisbane and the others were later released on the orders of Commodore Rodgers after the intervention of the British Chargé d'Affaires in Buenos Aires.
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