Pirates of the American Revolution: The Revolutionary Roles of Privateers
By Jack Campbell
Jack Campbell highlights the important role played by privateers in the Revolutionary War.
While the land battles of the Revolutionary War get most of the attention, there was also significant action at sea. The British Navy was the most powerful in the world and its control of the ocean was a major obstacle for the rebelling American colonies. Figures such as John Adams pushed for more substantial naval power, but it was a difficult task. A fledgling Continental Navy is formed, but much of the effective sea power comes from individually outfitted and commissioned ships known as privateers. While they were not technically pirates, they shared many similarities and played an essential role in the American war effort.
The use of privateers was not confined to just the Americans, either. As the war was a truly global one, so was this practice. The British used privateers to supplement their Navy.
LEtter of marque signed by john hancock, 1776. courtesy of the state archives of north carolina.
Commissions were given through Letters of Marque that authorized vessels to engage with ships that they considered unfriendly. As time went on, the process became more formalized, and Congress eventually passed a formal resolution approving it in 1776. Around 800 vessels were commissioned as privateers by the Americans during the war. Vessels of every type were used as well. If it could do damage, it was generally acceptable.
Massachusetts was an early colony to get involved with the practice of privateering. They used it during the Siege of Boston, taking advantage of a British Navy stretched thin at the time.
Privateering was considered a form of legal piracy. Many privateers were motivated by profit rather than politics. They were allowed to keep a portion of their prizes for themselves, with the rest of the reward given to whoever gave them their commission. Some of these privateers became among the most notable figures of the entire war.
John Paul Jones is perhaps the most famous privateer of the American Revolution. He volunteered his services just as the new Continental Navy and Marines formed to establish himself as the preeminent American privateer. He was so renowned that he became one of those given the title “Father of the American Navy.”
Jones famously captained the Bonhomme Richard, named in honor of Benjamin Franklin and his Poor Richard’s Almanack. He conducted raids on the English coast, attacked vessels, and became a notorious figure. He was reviled as a pirate by his enemies and as a naval warrior by his allies. He also commanded the Ranger, seeing significant action at its helm as well.
American privateers called several different ports home during the war. The most common in the New York area were Long Island and several towns in Connecticut. Cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Providence, and Richmond, among others, also were prominent bases.
John paul jones. collection of fraunces tavern museum.
Commodore hopkins. collection of fraunces tavern museum.
It is also important to note the backgrounds of many privateers. They were usually merchant sailors with experience; their main goal in privateering was to profit from the bounties they captured. Their past was also often focused on profit at all costs. Notably, many privateers were slave traders and ran slave ships. Esek Hopkins, one of the most prominent American privateers, was among those who had participated in the slave trade.
Hopkins was even a controversial figure in his own time. He gained notoriety for his successful raid, along with the Continental Marines, on Nassau in the Bahamas in 1776. Jones served under him there. But it was said that had disobeyed orders to undertake the mission, and he came under fire from political opponents. His character also came under fire when it was alleged that he had tortured prisoners of war. He would ultimately lose his commission and be relieved of his command by Congress.
When we question what was so different between pirates and privateers, it comes down to one word: permission. Privateers acted as pirates, but they had permission from governments to do it. They could attack unprovoked and take prizes. While they had to surrender a portion of those prizes, as opposed to pirates who did not, this was an excellent motivator for the profit-focused. Many privateers became pirates when their commissions expired, but that was not a universal truth. Nonetheless, the similarity of their behavior has led to them often being considered the same.
Privateering was a valuable tool and method of warfare during the American Revolution. The practice had historical precedence and was used for centuries. These ships and sailors acted much as pirates did, except they had the law on their side. Both sides used these privateers and raided, looted, and attacked indiscriminately. They were indeed the pirates of the American Revolution.
Bibliography
Cain, Alexander. “Massachusetts Privateers During the Siege of Boston.” The Journal of the American Revolution, September 24, 2019.
Callo, Joseph. John Paul Jones: America’s First Sea Warrior (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2006).
Frayler, John. “Privateers in the American Revolution.” National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/articles/privateers-in-the-american-revolution.htm.
Hoock, Holger. Scars of Independence: America’s Violent Birth (New York: Crown Publishing, 2017).
Norton, Louis Arthur, “The Revolutionary War Origin of the Whistleblower Law.” The Journal of the American Revolution, March 24, 2020.
O’Shaughnessy, Andrew Jackson. An Empire Divided: The American Revolution and the British Caribbean (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2000).
Slavery and Justice: Report of the Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice. https://digitalpublications.brown.edu/read/first-readings-2020/section/fe52cb22-c7d8-4a15-898b-03c8de1086de.
Thomin, Michael. “The ‘P’ is for Profit: Revolutionary War Privateers and the Slave Trade.” The Journal of the American Revolution, December 2, 2016.
