A Naval Biographical Dictionary/McDonell, John
M‘DONELL. (Capt., 1846. f-p., 25; h-p., 11.)
John M‘Donell entered the Navy, 10 Feb. 1811, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Leveret brig, Capt. Geo. Wickens Willes, stationed at first in the North Sea, and afterwards in the Mediterranean; where, on becoming attached to the Unité 36, Capt. Edwin Henry Chamberlayne, he was wounded in the boats of that frigate at the capture of two of the enemy’s vessels in 1812. Removing, as Midshipman, in Oct. 1814, to the Phoenix 36, Capt. Chas. John Austen, he continued to serve in the Mediterranean until wrecked in a hurricane near Smyrna, 20 Feb. 1816; after which, and until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 6 Sept. 1823, we find him employed, six years of the time as a passed Midshipman, in the Bulwark 74, Capt. Geo. M‘Kinley, Maeander 38, Capt. Sir Jas. Alex. Gordon, Egeria 24, Capt. Robt. Rowley, Active 38, Capt. Sir I. A. Gordon, Albion 74, Capt. Rich. Raggett, and Apollo and Royal George yachts, Capts. Hon. Sir Chas. Paget and Hon. Thos. Bladen Capel – on the Home and Newfoundland stations. His succeeding appointments were – 9 Dec. 1S24, to the Pandora 18, Capts. Wm. Gordon, Wm. Clarke Jervoise, and Hon. John Fred. Gordon, with whom, until paid off in Feb. 1830, he served at Newfoundland and in the East Indies – 9 Nov. 1830, as First, to the Ariadne 28, Capt. Chas. Phillips, employed on particular service – 9 Sept. 1831, in a similar capacity, to the Curaçoa 26, Capt. David Dunn, on the East India station – 26 June, 1832, again as Senior, to the Cruizer 18, Capt. John Parker, with whom he returned home in the early part of 1833 – 25 March, 1836, still as First, to the Hercules 74, Capt. Maurice Fred. Fitzhardinge Berkeley, on the Lisbon station – and, 24 Jan. 1837, as only Lieutenant, to the Royal George yacht, Capt. Lord Adolphus FitzClarence. He continued in the latter vessel until promoted to the rank of Commander 28 June, 1838; and he afterwards, from 24 Aug. 1841 until put out of commission in 1844, officiated as Second-Captain of the Malabar 72, Capt. Sir Geo. Rose Sartorius, on the Mediterraneon station. He was advanced to his present rank 9 Nov. 1846, and is now on half-pay. Agents – Burnett and Holmes.