American Privateer
This character represents an American privateer captain during the American Revolution. Privateers were privately owned armed merchant ships that were authorized by the Continental Congress with a “letter of marque” to attack enemy ships. Although equipped to fight against smaller enemy ships, they avoided combat with larger, more heavily armed warships. Cities and towns such as Boston, Philadelphia, Providence, and New London served as home ports for many privateers. During the war about American 800 vessels were fitted as privateers and caused $18,000,000 in damages by capturing or destroying British shipping. This had a significant impact on the British ability to resupply troops fighting in America and supplemented the limited resources of the Continental Navy. Privateer captains had ultimate responsibility for their ships and determined whether or not to attack enemy ships spotted at sea.
Reproduction Clothing and Equipment
The American privateer captain does not officially serve in the Continental Navy and is thus clothed in civilian attire that reflects his status as merchant captain turned privateer. He wears a red overcoat, white cotton shirt, black stock (tie), black breeches, and grey stockings.
Additional Lesson Plans and Links
Untold War at Sea: America’s Revolutionary Privateers
Dark Voyage: An American Privateer’s War on Britain’s African Slave Trade
