12 Facts About Privateering

Privateering allowed sovereigns to raise revenue for war by mobilizing privately owned armed ships and sailors to supplement state power.

Privateering had been unable to produce the papers of the prizes he had captured to prove his innocence.

Privateering commissions were easy to obtain during wartime but when the war ended and sovereigns recalled the privateers, many refused to give up the lucrative business and turned to piracy.

Privateering thus offered otherwise working-class enterprises with the chance at substantial wealth .

Privateering continued until the 1856 Declaration of Paris, in which all major European powers stated that "Privateering is and remains abolished".

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Privateering participated in the successful English defence against the Spanish Armada in 1588, though he was partly responsible for the failure of the English Armada against Spain in 1589.

Privateering is famous for his short-lived 1598 capture of Fort San Felipe del Morro, the citadel protecting San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Privateering gained sufficient prestige from his naval exploits to be named the official Champion of Queen Elizabeth I Clifford became extremely wealthy through his buccaneering but lost most of his money gambling on horse races.

Privateering's operation was prone to cruelty against those he captured, including torture to gain information about booty, and in one case using priests as human shields.

Privateering found the Spanish occupying the islands, and sailed away.

Privateering commanded the Baltimore schooner Comet and then later in the war the Baltimore clipper Chasseur.

Privateering captured over 50 British merchant ships during the war.