ABSTRACT
We assume, for the sake of illustration, that the reader wishes to become practically acquainted with the method of fitting out, arming, manning, and manoeuvring privateers and letter-of-marque ships in ancient Liverpool. We cannot do better than follow the advice of Captain William Hutchinson, an experienced privateer commander, originally trained in that finest of all nurseries for seamen, the Newcastle colliers, who afterwards became dockmaster at Liverpool. “Safety as well as success, in my opinion,” he says, “depends greatly on the manner these ships are fitted out. Trading ships, designed more for defence than offence, I would recommend to be made to look as big, powerful, and warlike as possible, in order to intimidate; but privateers the contrary, to look as little and defenceless and conceal their power as much as possible, till there is a real occasion for it, and then as suddenly as possible to make it known to give the greater surprise, which I can say from experience may often give great advantages. As to the size and number of great guns, the dimensions, strength, and properties of the ship should point out what she will be able to bear without being too crank for a sailing and fighting ship; and though it must be allowed that the advantages in a sea fight are greatly in favour of the heaviest shot, yet the many storms a ship may have to contend with in a winter’s passage, or a cruise in a turbulent ocean, where the great guns may be often rendered a useless and dangerous incumbrance by the waves running so high, that nothing but small arms can be used against the enemy, so a ship should not be overcrowded or overburdened with too heavy cannon.” With regard to shot, “the first and principal,” he observes, “both for quantity and quality, is the round iron cannon ball, because it will go and penetrate farther and with greater velocity than any other to do execution when engaging with a superior force; but when come to a close fight with a ship of inferior force, expecting to make her a prize, then the endeavours should be not to destroy the ship if it can possibly be avoided, but to distress them to make submission; therefore, some suitable shot that will answer that purpose best should be provided. And I would recommend round tin cases, to fit the bore of the guns, filled with musket ball; and square bar iron, cut about fourteen inches long, tied in bundles with rope yarns just to fit the guns; or cast iron bars about the same length, a square one about an inch diameter in the middle and four others quartering, rounded on the outside, to fit the bore of the guns, when tied with rope yarns.” These rude missiles will doubtless make the naval heroes of the present day laugh scornfully, but the persons upon whom Captain Hutchinson experimented with similar preparations appear to have been perfectly satisfied with their efficacy.
