Description

Book Synopsis

This title explores the ships and history of the enterprising American patriots who fought the Royal Navy as privateers, and played a major part in winning the Revolutionary War at sea.

During the American War of Independence (177583), Congress issued almost 800 letters of marque as a way of combating Britain''s overwhelming naval and mercantile superiority. At first, it was only fishermen and the skippers of small merchant ships who turned to privateering, with mixed results. Eventually though, American shipyards began to turn out specially-converted ships, while later still, the first purpose-built privateers entered the fray.

These American privateers seized more than 600 British merchant ships over the course of the war, capturing thousands of British seamen. Indeed, Jeremiah O''Brien''s privateer Unity successfully fought the first sea engagement of the Revolutionary War in the Battle of Machias of 1775. With just 40 men, their guns, axes, and pitc

Table of Contents
Introduction Background Design & Development The Business of Privateering Life on Board Privateers in Action Further Reading Index

American Privateers of the Revolutionary War

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    A Paperback / softback by Angus Konstam, Paul Wright

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      Book details

      Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
      Published 20 February 2020
      ISBN-13 9781472836342
      978-1472836342
      ISBN-10 1472836340
      Also in:
      History Politics, Philosophy & Society Military vehicles Warfare and defence Books by Angus Konstam

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      This title explores the ships and history of the enterprising American patriots who fought the Royal Navy as privateers, and played a major part in winning the Revolutionary War at sea.

      During the American War of Independence (177583), Congress issued almost 800 letters of marque as a way of combating Britain''s overwhelming naval and mercantile superiority. At first, it was only fishermen and the skippers of small merchant ships who turned to privateering, with mixed results. Eventually though, American shipyards began to turn out specially-converted ships, while later still, the first purpose-built privateers entered the fray.

      These American privateers seized more than 600 British merchant ships over the course of the war, capturing thousands of British seamen. Indeed, Jeremiah O''Brien''s privateer Unity successfully fought the first sea engagement of the Revolutionary War in the Battle of Machias of 1775. With just 40 men, their guns, axes, and pitc

      Table of Contents
      Introduction Background Design & Development The Business of Privateering Life on Board Privateers in Action Further Reading Index

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