Privateering in The Eastern Ports of Massachusetts during the American Revolutionary War: 1775-1783

Abstract

This thesis examines the use of privateers during the American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783. It investigates the financial involvement of men, the use of their privately-owned vessels, and the ability to defend the small east coast ports of New England specifically Salem, Beverly, Marblehead, and Newburyport, Massachusetts. In doing so, it demonstrates the impact privateers had on the economy of the four east coast port towns of New England and the impact on the infant Navy of the United States, during the watershed period of the Revolutionary War, areas unexplored in current historiography. It argues the American Revolutionary War was fought to gain freedoms of both government and economy. The thirteen colonies explored the idea of economic freedom to trade with countries without restrictions from the British Crown. The privateers and letters of Marque of the four small ports of Massachusetts engaged in trade with other countries before, during and after the Revolutionary War. Along with the State navies the privateers were responsible for the protection of those ports during the War. The success of the privateers, capturing British vessels, augmenting the colonial economy, and helping to supply the colonial army, resulted in changes of attitude toward their ability to act as Naval protection against the enemies of the United States. The prolific use of the local sailors, with knowledge of the tributaries and topography of the shorelines, employing local vessels, was invaluable to the cause of independence. Further, this thesis argues these local sailors without military experience, who were fishermen at heart put their skills of navigation and sailing, and their love of the sea, to work for their country. These local sailors would be instrumental in the resulting freedom of trade and government for America.