Privateers and Privateering

True stories of eighteenth-century privateers, published in 1910 at the height of Britain's naval arms race with Germany.

Edward Phillips Statham (Author)

9781108026291, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 27 January 2011

416 pages, 8 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.4 cm, 0.53 kg

In this book, first published in 1910 at the height of Britain's naval arms race with Germany, E. P. Statham (b. 1848) presented the lives and exploits of, in his words, 'licensed plunderers'. Insisting his tales were 'without embroidery' but were intended 'to amuse and entertain', Statham clearly had a fondness for adventure and an almost grudging admiration for his subjects. A retired Royal Navy officer at the time of publication, Statham was also the author of a number of medieval histories, and at one point was the superintendent of a School Ship, which when moored in the River Mersey (Statham was born in Liverpool) was twice burnt down by its pupils. In his conclusion, Statham questions the possible role of privateering in the wars yet to come. Engaging and colourful, the stories perhaps reveal as much about the buccaneering spirit of the author as they do about their subjects.

Preface
Part I. Introductory: 1. Two early incidents
2. Andrew Barton. The 'Amity' and the Spaniards
Part II. Privateering in the South Seas: 3. William Dampier
4. Woodes Rogers
5. Woodes Rogers continued
6. George Shelvocke and John Clipperton
Part III. Some Odd Yarns: 7. Captain Phillips, of the 'Alexander'. The case of the 'Antigallican'
8. Captain Death, of the 'Terrible'. Mr. Peter Baker and the 'Mentor'. Captain Edward Moor, of the 'Fame'. Captain James Borrowdale, of the 'Ellen'
Part IV. Two Great Englishmen: 9. Fortunatus Wright
10. Fortunatus Wright continued
11. George Walker
12. George Walker continued
Some Frenchmen: 13. Jean Bart
14. Du Guay Trouin
15. Jacques Cassard
16. Robert Surcouf. Concerning the Frontispiece
Some Americans: 17. Captain Silas Talbot
18. Captain Joshua Barney
19. Captains Barney and Haraden
20. Captain Thomas Boyle
21. The 'General Armstrong'
Part V. Some More Odd Yarns: 22. The 'Princess Royal' packet. Two colonial privateers
23. The affair of the 'Bonaparte'
24. The 'Windsor Castle' packet. The 'Catherine'. The 'Fortune'. 'The Three Sisters'
Conclusion
Index.

Subject Areas: Military history [HBW]