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A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Donlevy, George Marlay

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1688980A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Donlevy, George MarlayWilliam Richard O'Byrne

DONLEVY. (Lieut., 1827. f-p., 18; h-p., 19.)

George Marlay Donlevy is connected, paternally and maternally, with families of high distinction, being allied, among others, to those of Lord Kilmaine, Sir Rich. Annesley O’Donnell, Bart., and Sir Henry Cunningham Montgomery, Bart.

This officer entered the Navy, 17 April, 1810 (under the patronage of the late Sir H. C. Montgomery, Bart.), as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Norge 74, Capts. John Sprat Rainier, Wm. Waller, and Chas. Dashwood; with whom he successively served, on the North Sea, Mediterranean, and West India stations, part of the time as Midshipman, until Aug. 1815. On 14 Dec. 1814, he appears to have been officially reported for his distinguished conduct in the boats at the capture, on Lake Borgne, near New Orleans, of five American gun-vessels under Commodore Jones, which did not surrender until after a stern conflict, in which the British lost 17 men killed and 77 wounded. Mr. Donlevy – who next returned to the Mediterranean, on board the Erne 20, Capt. Rich. Spencer – passed his examination 18 April, 1816; between which period and the date of his promotion, 18 May, 1827, we find him employed on various stations, chiefly as Admiralty-Midshipman and Mate, in the Sparrowhawk 18, Capt. Fred. Wm. Burgoyne, Florida 24, Capt. Chas. Sibthorpe John Hawtayne, Wye 24, Capt. W. Willis, Vengeur 74, Capt. Fred. Lewis Maitland, Genoa 74, Capt. Sir Thos. Livingstone, Prince Regent yacht, Capt. Sir Mich. Seymour, Nimrod 20, Capt. Wm. Rochfort, and Victory 100, bearing the flag at Portsmouth of Sir Geo. Martin. In 1824 he threw up a Mate’s rations on board the latter ship, for the purpose of accompanying, as a Volunteer, the expedition then preparing against Algiers, whither he proceeded in the Goodwill, Lieut.-Commander Jas. Thome. On rejoining the Victory, we find him effecting the very creditable capture, in a boat belonging to one of that ship’s tenders, of a deeply-laden smuggler, having on board a crew of 15 men. He was promoted by Sir Geo. Martin, as above, to a hauling-down vacancy; and was subsequently employed for a year in the Coast Guard. In consequence of total, and, we believe, incurable deafness, he has been unable, since April, 1833, to procure further employment.

Lieut. Donlevy is married, and has issue an only daughter.