Brigand Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 We assume, for the sake of illustration, that the readerwishes to become practically acquainted with the method offitting out, arming, manning, and manoeuvring privateersand letter-of-marque ships in ancient Liverpool. A book worth the (free) download and definately worth reading: History of the LIVERPOOL PRIVATEERS and Letters of Marque by Gomers Williams, 1897 (available in several other formats) An excerpt (p. 26): [On how to act when met by a ship of much superior force] "Begin the attack upon the weather quarter, shootingthe ship upon the wind with the helm a-lee, till the after-lee gun, with which we begin, can be pointed upon theenemy's stern ; then fire, the lee broadside, as it may becalled. The ship begins the attack upon the enemy when thetopsails are thrown aback, with the helm a-lee, boxing theship round on her heels, so as to bring the wind so far aftthat the ship may immediately be steered close under theenemy's stern, with particular orders to begin with theforemost gun, to rake them right fore and aft with the greatguns, as they pass in that line of direction, all aiming andfiring to break the neck or cheeks of the rudder head, thetiller' ropes, blocks, &c, so as, if possible, to destroy thesteerage tackle, which design, if it proves successful, takesthe management of their ship from them, so that she mustlie helpless for a time, in spite of their endeavours. Whenthe aftermost gun is fired, put the helm hard-a-weather tobring the ship by the wind ; and then stand off on theother tack, to keep clear of their lee broadside and actaccording to their motions, and the experience of the effectyour attack has had upon them. (...)" Cheers, Brigand 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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