Thomas Mackenzie (Royal Navy officer)

Thomas Mackenzie
Born	1753
Died	20 September 1813
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1760s to 1813
Rank	Royal Navy Admiral
Battles/wars	American Revolutionary War • Battle of Quebec • Battle of Porto Praya French Revolutionary Wars • Glorious First of June Napoleonic Wars

Admiral Thomas Mackenzie (1753 – 20 September 1813) was a prominent British Royal Navy officer of the late eighteenth century. Mackenzie's career, while successful, was blighted by a series of controversies that limited his opportunities and command, resulting in his placement in reserve for the last 19 years of his career. During his early service, Mackenzie served at a number of engagements in the American Revolutionary War and advanced rapidly, but he was caught during service in the Indian Ocean in the midst of a disagreement between two senior officers and as a result was placed in reserve at the end of the war. At the start of the French Revolutionary Wars ten years later Mackenzie was restored to service, and commanded the ship of the line HMS Gibraltar at the Glorious First of June. Mackenzie was again involved in a major dispute in the aftermath of the battle over credit for the victory, and the result was that he never served at sea again.

Thomas Mackenzie was born in 1753, the son of Vice-Admiral George Mackenzie. At a young age, Thomas joined the frigate HMS Montreal and in 1771 passed the lieutenants exam and joined the sloop HMS Trial. He continued to rise in rank, and in 1776 at the start of the American Revolutionary War he was promoted to post captain for his services at the Battle of Quebec. He took command of the ship HMS Ariel, but was captured with his vessel by the French frigate Amazone on 10 September 1779 <ADM 1/5315 court-martial 23 Feb 1780> near Charlestown. Released in Cadiz the following year, Mackenzie returned to Britain, was cleared at a court martial and given command of the frigate HMS Active.

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