Existing comment:
Downes' Yataghan Sword:
John Downes entered the Navy in September 1800 and was appointed midshipman on June 1, 1802. During the War of 1812, he was first lieutenant in the frigate Essex under David Porter. Mstr Cmdt John Downes commanded the sloop of war Epervier in the action against Mashouda. For his actions, Decatur gave him his choice of captured weapons. Downes selected this silver mounted sword of Turkish origin called a yataghan. After the war, he commanded Epervier, Guerriere, Ontario, Independence, and the Pacific and Mediterranean squadrons. |