Full Description
In this book, first published in 1910 at the height of Britain's naval arms race with Germany, E. P. Statham (b. 1848) presented the lives and exploits of, in his words, 'licensed plunderers'. Insisting his tales were 'without embroidery' but were intended 'to amuse and entertain', Statham clearly had a fondness for adventure and an almost grudging admiration for his subjects. A retired Royal Navy officer at the time of publication, Statham was also the author of a number of medieval histories, and at one point was the superintendent of a School Ship, which when moored in the River Mersey (Statham was born in Liverpool) was twice burnt down by its pupils. In his conclusion, Statham questions the possible role of privateering in the wars yet to come. Engaging and colourful, the stories perhaps reveal as much about the buccaneering spirit of the author as they do about their subjects.
Contents
Preface; Part I. Introductory: 1. Two early incidents; 2. Andrew Barton. The 'Amity' and the Spaniards; Part II. Privateering in the South Seas: 3. William Dampier; 4. Woodes Rogers; 5. Woodes Rogers continued; 6. George Shelvocke and John Clipperton; Part III. Some Odd Yarns: 7. Captain Phillips, of the 'Alexander'. The case of the 'Antigallican'; 8. Captain Death, of the 'Terrible'. Mr. Peter Baker and the 'Mentor'. Captain Edward Moor, of the 'Fame'. Captain James Borrowdale, of the 'Ellen'; Part IV. Two Great Englishmen: 9. Fortunatus Wright; 10. Fortunatus Wright continued; 11. George Walker; 12. George Walker continued; Some Frenchmen: 13. Jean Bart; 14. Du Guay Trouin; 15. Jacques Cassard; 16. Robert Surcouf. Concerning the Frontispiece; Some Americans: 17. Captain Silas Talbot; 18. Captain Joshua Barney; 19. Captains Barney and Haraden; 20. Captain Thomas Boyle; 21. The 'General Armstrong'; Part V. Some More Odd Yarns: 22. The 'Princess Royal' packet. Two colonial privateers; 23. The affair of the 'Bonaparte'; 24. The 'Windsor Castle' packet. The 'Catherine'. The 'Fortune'. 'The Three Sisters'; Conclusion; Index.
