Joseph Barss was a sea captain of the schooner Liverpool Packet and was one of the most successful privateers on the North American Atlantic coast during the War of 1812.
11 Facts About Joseph Barss
2.
In 1798 the Barss family built one of the largest homes in Liverpool.
3.
Joseph Barss gained experience as a privateer against the French in the 1790s, serving in several privateer vessels, as an officer in the ship Charles Mary Wentworth and in command the privateer schooner Lord Spencer.
4.
Joseph Barss briefly served as commander of the brig Rover, a noted privateer vessel from Liverpool, Nova Scotia famous for its voyages commanded by Alexander Godfrey, another colonial Nova Scotian privateer.
5.
In 1812, Joseph Barss took command of the Liverpool Packet, a captured slave ship originally named the Severn and sometimes nicknamed the Black Joke.
6.
Joseph Barss was known for his excellent use of intelligence on American shipping movement, due in large part to his brother, John Barss.
7.
Joseph Barss was known for his fair treatment of prisoners.
8.
In 1813, following pursuit by the schooner Thomas of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which ended in a short battle, Joseph Barss surrendered the Packet.
9.
Joseph Barss was briefly captured a second time during the war in command of a merchant vessel.
10.
Joseph Barss had nine children and lived there the rest of his life.
11.
Joseph Barss is buried in the Oak Grove cemetery at Kentville.