War of 1812, Part 28: Privateers Take on the British

The New Nation
Written By Tom Hand

America’s relatively small navy left President James Madison few offensive options with which to strike the British. Consequently, his administration waged war against the very thing that Great Britain held most dear and attacked its merchant fleet from the West Indies to the English Channel. This fight was undertaken primarily by privateers, ships that were owned and equipped by private citizens but authorized by the government to plunder vessels from enemy nations. The most successful privateer ship was a two-masted schooner built for speed and agility but armed heavily enough to be a formidable fighter. Known as Baltimore Clippers, they could capture any merchant ship they wanted but were fast enough to escape from any ship they could not overpower.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses privateers and their impact on the War of 1812 and why it still matters today. 

Images courtesy of USS Constitution Museum, National Gallery of Art, Digital Commonwealth, Naval History and Heritage Command, World History Encyclopedia, Library of Congress, Muskegon Museum of Art, Wikimedia.

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Early in 1812, when war with Great Britain seemed imminent, President James Madison named William Hull, the Governor of the Michigan Territory and a veteran of the American Revolution, to command the western war effort. Hull was a reluctant warrior who initially declined the post recognizing his best years were behind him, but when President Madison could not find a suitable replacement, Hull agreed to take the command.

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Tom Hand
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War of 1812, Part 27: United States Suffers Under British Blockade