American naval officer, born near Seaford, Ireland, in October 1781; was lost at sea in 1814. He came to this country with his father when he was a small child, and settled in Wilmington, NC. In February 1800, Blakeley obtained the appointment of midshipman in the United States navy; on February 10, 1807, was made lieutenant, and in 1813 became commander of the brig Enterprise, employed in protecting our coasting trade. On July 24, 1813, he became master-commander, and in August assumed command of the sloop-of-war Wasp. On May 1, 1814, he sailed from Portsmouth, NH, on a cruise, and on June 28th, captured the British brig Reindeer. Blakeley saw fit to burn his prize at sea, and Congress awarded him a gold medal in recognition of his exploit. On September 1st he destroyed the brig Avon, and a few days later two other vessels were captured and scuttled; on September 21st he also took the brig Atlanta, which was sent to Savannah. For these gallant services Blakeley was made captain the same year. His vessel, the Wasp, was last seen and spoken at sea on October 9th. Probably she foundered in a gale.
