Privateering continues well beyond its sixteenth-century origins. France licenses attacks on British trade during the Napoleonic Wars, but the heavily armed East Indiaman Arniston survives repeated attacks. In this account, American and British privateers may have been the largest feature of the War of 1812. The comparison shows commerce warfare as a reciprocal contest involving raiders, armed merchantmen, and state policy rather than a uniquely French substitute for battle-fleet operations.
Notable Point · 31:10-32:00
Privateers remain central in the Napoleonic Wars and 1812
French commerce raiders, armed East Indiamen, and American and British privateers keep privately organized maritime warfare important into the nineteenth century.