Thomas Macnamara Russell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas McNamara Russell
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| Died | 22 July 1824 near Poole, Dorset |
| Allegiance |  Great Britain |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Rank | Vice-Admiral |
| Commands held | HMS Diligent HMS Bedford HMS Hussar HMS Diana HMS Vengeance HMS Princess Royal Second in command, Channel Squadron North Sea Fleet |
| Battles/wars | |
| Relations | Sir John Macnamara Hayes |
Thomas McNamara Russell (died 22 July 1824) was a brave admiral in the Royal Navy, Britain's powerful navy. He served during three big wars: the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary War, and the Napoleonic War.
Admiral Russell is best known for leading a group of ships in the North Sea. In 1809, he took control of Heligoland when Denmark joined the war against Britain. He was also famous for a daring one-on-one battle. His ship, the 20-gun HMS Hussar, captured the 32-gun French warship Sybille. This was amazing because the French ship had more men and guns! There was some debate about this battle because the French ship was flying false flags and a distress flag (a sign of trouble) to trick Russell. While using false flags to trick an enemy was common, it was considered wrong to keep them flying once the fight began. Using a distress flag as a trick was also seen as unfair.
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Thomas Russell was born in Ireland. When he was five, his father died, and he inherited a lot of money. Sadly, by the time he was fourteen, all his money was gone due to careless or dishonest people.
After working for a short time in the Merchant Navy (ships that carry goods), Russell joined the Royal Navy. In 1766, he was listed on the crew records of HMS Cornwall, a ship on duty in Plymouth. He then moved to the large 74-gun ship Arrogant. He worked as an able seaman (a skilled sailor) for three years. In 1769, he became a midshipman (an officer in training) on the small ship Hunter. Later, he was promoted to master's mate on HMS Terrible, another ship on duty in Portsmouth.
Fighting in the American War
In 1772, Russell passed his officer's exam. By 1776, he was serving off the coast of North America. He was promoted to lieutenant (a junior officer) on the small warship Albany. Soon after, he got his first command: the 12-gun ship HMS Diligent.
While sailing near Chesapeake Bay, Russell's ship fought and captured the 16-gun private warship Lady Washington. A privateer was a private ship allowed to attack enemy ships. The Lady Washington was sold for a lot of money, and Russell, as captain, got a share of the prize money. Russell was very successful, capturing eight enemy ships in about five weeks!
He later joined the ship Raleigh and helped defend Jersey in 1779. He was even put in charge of Drake's Island for a short time as a reward. Russell then rejoined the Raleigh and took part in the Siege of Charleston in South Carolina. This battle saw the largest surrender of American soldiers during the war. During the siege, Russell was promoted to command the ship HMS Beaumont. Then, in 1781, he became a post-captain (a higher rank) and was given command of the 20-gun HMS Hussar. He continued to capture many enemy ships along the American coast.
The Famous Hussar vs. Sybille Battle
On January 22, 1783, the Hussar spotted the French 32-gun warship Sybille. The Sybille had been in a tough fight three weeks earlier and was damaged. She had even thrown twelve of her guns overboard to stay afloat during a storm.
When the Sybille saw the Hussar, her captain, Monsieur le Comte de Kergariou-Locmaria, tried a trick. He raised the British flag over the French flag, which usually meant the ship had been captured. At the same time, he put another British flag upside down, which is an international sign of distress (trouble). Russell, thinking the Sybille needed help, sailed closer. But he became suspicious and turned his ship away just in time.
The French captain then fired all his guns from one side (a broadside), but Russell's quick turn saved his ship from the worst damage. Kergariou then tried to board (climb onto and attack) the Hussar while still using the false flags. The Hussar's crew fought bravely and stopped the French boarding party.
The battle continued until two more British ships appeared: the large 74-gun HMS Centurion and the 16-gun HMS Terrier. Seeing more enemies, the Sybille surrendered. The rules of war at the time said a ship could use a false flag to trick an enemy, but they had to take it down before the fight started. Also, a distress flag should only be used if a ship was truly in trouble. The French captain had broken both these important rules.
When Kergariou came aboard the Hussar to surrender his sword, Russell was very angry. He told Kergariou that his ship had not been fought fairly. Russell then dramatically broke Kergariou's sword in half and threw it on the deck, showing his extreme disapproval. He put the French captain under strict arrest.
When Russell brought the captured Sybille to New York City, he reported what had happened. His officers swore statements to support his story. However, a peace treaty was about to be signed, and the British Navy leaders decided not to make the incident public to avoid causing more trouble. Kergariou even sent a message to Russell, threatening to hunt him down if Russell reported the incident. Russell was not scared and even offered to fight Kergariou in a duel!
After peace was declared, the Hussar returned to England. Russell was offered a knighthood (an honorific title), but he refused because he didn't have enough money to support the title.
Command in the Caribbean
In 1791, Russell was given command of the 32-gun warship Diana in the West Indies (the Caribbean). He made a good impression there. The people of Jamaica praised him, and even the Spanish Governor of Havana, Cuba, admired him. The Governor once said, "If this McNamara Russell were anything but the Captain of a British Frigate, violating and opposing the orders of my Sovereign, I never knew a man who I would sooner call my friend."
Helping Lieutenant Perkins
In late 1791, enslaved people in the French colony of Santo Domingo started a revolt. Admiral Philip Affleck sent Russell and the Diana with supplies to the French. At a dinner, Russell learned that a British officer, Lieutenant John Perkins, was in prison in Jérémie. He was accused of giving weapons to the revolting people.
Even though Britain and France were not at war, Russell asked for Perkins to be released. The French authorities promised to release him but then refused. After many letters, Russell realized they wouldn't keep their word. He sailed the Diana to Jérémie and met with another British ship, HMS Ferret. They planned for an officer to go ashore and get Perkins, while their ships waited nearby, ready to help if needed. Lieutenant Godby went ashore and successfully negotiated Perkins's release.
Wars Against France
Russell returned to England in 1792. In 1796, he was given command of the 74-gun Vengeance and went back to the West Indies. There, he helped capture Saint Lucia and Trinidad.
The Vengeance returned to England in 1799 and joined the Channel fleet, which guarded the English Channel. After this, the ship was taken out of service. In 1801, Russell was promoted to rear admiral. When the war with France started again in 1803, he took command of Dictator. He led a group of ships in the North Sea Fleet.
Later Career and Heligoland
Russell was promoted again to Rear-Admiral of the Red in 1804. In 1805, he became a vice-admiral. In 1807, he was put in charge of the entire North Sea Fleet.
In September 1807, when Denmark declared war on Britain, Russell quickly took control of Heligoland. This island became a very important trading post for Britain and Germany during the war. Russell was promoted to Admiral of the Blue in 1812.
Family Life and End of Life
Thomas Russell married Miss Phillips around 1793. His wife passed away in 1818. He had one daughter, Lucinda Russell, born in 1789, who later married Captain George Patey. Admiral Russell died suddenly in his carriage near Poole, Dorset, on July 22, 1824.
