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American privateers played a significant role during the American
War of Independence and the Anglo-American war of 1812, as the
American regular navy was very small. Reinforcement by privateers
sailing under the government's jurisdiction carrying Letters of
Marque was essential, and in fact both sides made use of
privateers, capturing each other's merchant ships as prizes. Many
successful sailors began their careers as privateers before taking
up commissions in the regular navy. The stories of some of these
men are individually explored in this 1899 book by Edgar Stanton
Maclay, who two years later was at the centre of a controversy
arising from remarks in his History of the United States Navy.
Maclay here includes accounts from sailors of all ranks about their
experiences during the conflicts and as prisoners of war. The
actions of some notorious British privateers are also documented in
this fascinating work of maritime history.
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