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Date Posted: 08:48:47 11/26/08 Wed
Author: John Tredrea
Subject: Privateers

I need some clarification about the use of privateers in conjunction with naval forces. I have always had the understanding that privateers were private ships operating under letters of marque with legal authorization to sieze enemy merchantmen. They were neither crewed by nor commanded by naval personnel.

Recently, I read in R.C. Anderson's Naval Wars in the Levant that then-Captain Dmitriy Senyavin had operated in the Black Sea in 1790 against Turkish bases and lines of communication with a combined force of 8 frigates and 11 privateers. I was struck by this because I wondered how much control Senyavin might have exercised over privateers when it was my understanding that they were free agents answering to no authority other than that of their captains and owners.

Today, while reading If by Sea, the Forging of the American Navy–from the Revolution to the War of 1812, I came upon the statement that, in anticipation of an attack by British forces, a "mixed fleet" of 3 Continental Navy ships, 2 Massachusetts navy ships, 1 New Hampshire navy ship and 16 Massachusetts privateers "pressed into service" was put together to capture a small British fort in Maine protecting timber supplies. A few pages later, I find that John Paul Jones, when departing France in command of the Bonhomme Richard was in command of a small squadron consisting of 2 frigates, 1 brig, 1 cutter and 2 French privateers. The privateers and most of Jones' squadron deserted post haste when Jones ran into real trouble, but the privateers were apparently under his command.

I have three instances of privateers operating as part of regular naval forces and -hopefully- under the command of naval commanders. Are these kinds of combined operations unusual? What was the legal position of the privateers while operating under naval command?

Thanks in advance,

John Tredrea

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