Now this is a cool resource for those of you out there that are researching the LoM and it’s possible uses for modern times. The War of 1812 provides many examples of how this concept was used by all sides, and how involved private industry really was during that war. The legal references mentioned in the Prize Court section are very good as well.
What is interesting here is the culmination of hundreds of years of admiralty courts and privateering present in the conduct of all sides. The legal mechanisms, the regulations, the codes of conduct for privateers, the tactics–all of it evolved over time and presented itself in this war. I often wonder how modern technology and legal processes could have contributed to this type of naval warfare? Or better yet, what would privateering and the LoM look like if it never went out of style? Check it out and let me know what you think. –Matt
War of 1812: Privateers
The War of 1812 saw the apogee of privateering; with the activities of American privateers greatly adding to the offensive capability of the United States.The information available on the privateers and letters of marque is far greater than generally realized, with much material held in the uk at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
This site aims to make this information, particularly on American POWs, more widely available.
This sites aim is to provide research sources for the study of privateering during the War of 1812.
Much of the data was gathered as part of a project for the, late, Institute of Maritime Studies , University of St. Andrews with most of the material coming from the National Archives at Kew, London.
May 2010…update:
Two works are currently in progress:
The indexing of Lloyd’s List for the period 1812-1814; as yet 1812 completed that has generated 26,000 entries.
Indexing of the Registers of letters of marque against France 1793-1815:
The period 1803-1815, Adm 7/649, is now available.
this will give every British armed merchant ship which operated during this period and the name of the master.
Further as a new Letter of marque had to be issued with each change of master, it will give an indication of a master’s career over this period to which voyage information can be found through Lloyd’s List.
Link to website here.
