HMS Poictiers (1809)
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HMS Poictiers was a 74-gun Royal Navy third rate. This ship of the line was launched on 9 December 1809 at Upnor. During the War of 1812 she was part of the blockade of the United States. She was brok
Poictiers fired a few ineffectual shots. The position of the channel made it necessary for Yankee to pass close to Poictiers
Poictiers captures 'Yorktown', 1813, by Irwin John Bevan
Letter of marque
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A letter of marque and reprisal was a government license in the Age of Sail that authorized a private person, known as a privateer or corsair, to attack and capture vessels of a foreign state at war w
HMS Poictiers (1809)
…Poictiers recaptured the ship off the Virginia Capes in mid-December and sent her into Bermuda. On 28 December Poictiers and Acasta captured the American letter of marque Herald, of 18 guns (10 mounted), and 50 men, as Herald was sailing from Bordeaux to Baltimore. Herald, prior to herself being captured, had taken a…
Copy of a letter of marque and reprisal issued by Maurice, Prince of Orange to Captain Johan de Moor from Vlissingen for South America, 1 June 1618, page 1
Drake viewing treasure taken from a Spanish ship, print courtesy New York Public Library
The body of Captain William Kidd hanging in a gibbet over the Thames, the result of confusion over whether Captain Kidd took prizes legally under a letter of marque, or illegally as a pirate.
Gari Melchers War Highsmith