(1775-1832), an American naval architect, born in Scotland. In 1796 he established himself as a shipbuilder in New York City. He was employed by the United States government during the War of 1812 to construct vessels of war for the lakes and inland waters, and later he became United States naval constructor at the Brooklyn navy yard, where, under his direction, the government built six ships of the line, of which the Ohio became the most noted. In 1831 he built a sloop of war for the Turkish navy, and he was preparing to enter the service of that government as chief naval constructor when he died.