Robert Heriot Barclay (18 September 1786 – 8 May 1837). He was a British naval officer who was engaged in the Napoleonic Wars, and its North American counterpart, the War of 1812. He was born in Scotland, and at the age of about 15 he entered the Royal Navy. 5 years later he fought in the Battle of Trafalgar, where he lost his left arm. As a result he carried with him a combination knife and fork which he used to cut up his food one handed. Commissioned as a Commander, he was placed in charge of British naval forces on Lake Erie in 1813. He was not the first choice for this job, as a senior officer was offered command, but would have nothing to do with such an underequipped outfit. As a result, his 6 ships with an under-trained crew were defeated by Oliver H. Perry and his 9 ships at the Battle of Lake Erie. He was seriously injured during the engagement. After a court of inquiry acquitted him of wrongdoing, he was finally promoted to the rank of Captain in 1824. He passed away in Edinburgh. September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... 1786 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 1837 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars fought during Napoleon Bonapartes rule over France. ... This page refers to the war between the United States of America and Great Britain. ... Scottish Executive - official site of the Scottish Executive Scottish Parliament - official site of The Scottish Parliament BBC Scotland - Scottish history, news and travel pages from BBC The Gazetteer for Scotland - Extensive guide to the places and people of Scotland, by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and University of Edinburgh Scotland... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the British armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ... Combatants United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland First French Empire, Spain Commanders The Viscount Nelson † Pierre Charles Silvestre de Villeneuve Strength 27 ships of the line, 4 frigates, 2 others France: 18 ships of the line, 8 others Spain: 15 ships of the line Casualties 449 killed; 1,214... Insignia of a United States Navy Commander Commander is a military rank used in many navies but not generally in armies or air forces. ... Lake Erie, looking southward from a high rural bluff near Leamington, Ontario Lake Erie (ee ree) is is one of the five large freshwater Great Lakes in North America, among the worlds largest such lakes. ... Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (August 23, 1785–August 23, 1819) was an officer in the United States Navy. ... Combatants United Kingdom United States Commanders Robert Heriot Barclay Oliver Hazard Perry Strength 6 warships 9 small warships Casualties 41 dead 94 wounded 6 ships captured 27 dead 96 wounded 1 ship lost The Battle of Lake Erie, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Put-in-Bay, was fought... Captain is both a nautical term and a military rank. ... Edinburgh (pronounced ), Dùn Èideann () in Scottish Gaelic, is the second-largest city in Scotland and its capital city. ...

He was a capable albeit undistinguished officer; his purpose on Lake Erie was made impossible by the lack of adequate support.

External links

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online