Privateer facts for kids

A privateer was a privately owned vessel that was given a Offical Government Letter of Marque to raid enemy shipping during wartime.

Well known privateers include Sir Francis Drake and Martin Frobisher

United States

During the American Revolution Privateers were used to raid British Shipping.
During the War of 1812 Privateers were again used to raid British shipping.
During the US Civil War the CSA Issued Privateer/Letters of Marque.

Images for kids

• 

  East Indiaman Kent (left) battling Confiance, a privateer vessel commanded by French corsair Robert Surcouf in October 1800, as depicted in a painting by Ambroise Louis Garneray.

• 

  16th-century trade routes prey to privateering: Spanish treasure fleets linking the Caribbean to Seville, Manila-Acapulco galleons started in 1568 (white) and rival Portuguese India Armadas of 1498–1640 (blue)

• 

  Woodes Rogers' men search Spanish ladies for their jewels in Guayaquil, 1709

• 

  An action between an English ship and vessels of the Barbary corsairs

• 

  Bermuda Gazette of 12 November 1796, calling for privateering against Spain and its allies during the 1796 to 1808 Anglo-Spanish War, and with advertisements for crew for two privateer vessels.

• 

  A Bermuda sloop engaged as a privateer.

• 

  The Spanish Amaro Pargo was one of the most famous corsairs of the Golden Age of Piracy.

• 

  Advertising for the auction of the prize Chelmers of London, brig captured by the French privateer Junon in 1810.

• 

  Chasseur, one of the most famous American privateers of the War of 1812, capturing HMS St Lawrence

• 

  James De Wolf

• 

  CSS Savannah, a Confederate privateer.

• 

  "Corsario" (Privateer) by Mexican artist Mauricio García Vega.

See also

In Spanish: Corsario para niños