Journals of Two Cruises Aboard The American Privateer, YANKEE

New York: The Macmillan Company, 1967. First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. DJ is price clipped. DJ has some wear and soiling. Includes Introduction by Admiral E. M. Eller, Director of Naval History. Editor's Note, Journal of the First Cruise, and Journal of the Second Cruise. Also includes 9 illustrations (including two maps). The Journals of Two Cruises Aboard the Privateer Yankee are an exciting historical find. Written by a young, ardently romantic ship's clerk who signs himself "A Wanderer," they record the heady adventures of the American privateer Yankee on her first two voyages during the War of 1812. Only recently discovered among the possessions of a New England family, they are printed here for the first time. The author was listed on the Yankee manifest as Noah Jones but in all probability his real name was Noah Johnson, according to descendants. These historic journals bring vividly to life sea voyages that epitomized Yankee daring and skill, dedication to freedom, and Christian charity in dealing with conquered enemies. What life was like aboard a privateer and how these warships were manned, sailed, and deployed against the enemy is nowhere better illustrated than in these superb firsthand accounts. The private fleet of James De Wolf, which sailed under the flag of the American government in 1812, was most likely a key factor in the naval campaign of the war. De Wolf's ship, the Yankee, was possibly the most financially successful ship of the war. Privateers proved to be successful than their US Navy counterparts, claiming three-quarters of the 1600 British merchant ships taken during the war (although a third of these were recaptured prior to making landfall). A privateer is a private person or ship that engages in maritime warfare under a commission of war. Since robbery under arms was a common aspect of seaborne trade, until the early 19th century all merchant ships carried arms. A sovereign or delegated authority issued commissions, also referred to as a letter of marque, during wartime. The commission empowered the holder to carry on all forms of hostility permissible at sea by the usages of war. This included attacking foreign vessels and taking them as prizes, and taking prize crews as prisoners for exchange. Captured ships were subject to condemnation and sale under prize law, with the proceeds divided by percentage between the privateer's sponsors, shipowners, captains and crew. A percentage share usually went to the issuer of the commission (i.e. the sovereign). Privateering allowed sovereigns to raise revenue for war by mobilizing privately owned armed ships and sailors to supplement state power. For participants, privateering provided the potential for a greater income and profit than obtainable as a merchant seafarer or fisher. However, this incentive increased the risk of privateers turning to piracy when war ended. The commission usually protected privateers from accusations of piracy, but in practice the historical legality and status of privateers could be vague. It took 150 years for this journal to make it to print, but when it did, it allowed the world's greatest military power to look back at a time when its European counterparts controlled the seas. The Journals of Two Cruises aboard the American Privateer "Yankee" in the War of 1812, reflects a time when The United States had practically no navy when British outrages on the high seas, notably the impressment of American sailors, led the two nations to war. The British controlled the seas, and America was virtually helpless to defend itself from ocean-based attacks. President Madison turned to America's merchant and other ships for help. Private ships were authorized to engage in "privateering," a polite word for legalized piracy. These privateers were able to harass British shipping in a manner similar to the way the Royal Navy was able to disrupt American shipping. This journal of life on board the "Yankee," sailing out of Bristol, Rhode Island, gives an inside view of life on a privateering ship during America's first war. Condition: Very good / Good.

Keywords: War of 1812, Privateer, Ship Yankee, Noah Jones, Cape Verde, Warships, Merchant Shipping, James De Wolf

[Book #82518]

Price: $50.00

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