Privateering: Patriots and Profits in the War of 1812

The first book to tell the tale of the War of 1812 from the privateers’ perspective.

Winner of the John Lyman Book Award of the North American Society for Oceanic History

During the War of 1812, most clashes on the high seas involved privately owned merchant ships, not official naval vessels. Licensed by their home governments and considered key weapons of maritime warfare, these ships were authorized to attack and seize enemy traders. Once the prizes were legally condemned by a prize court, ...