Probably the most successful Canadian privateer ever. Sometimes
nicknamed "The Black Joke", she was an ex-slave
ship taken by the Royal Navy just before the War of 1812.
When hostilities began she put to sea as a privateer as soon as a
commission became available and quickly earned a reputation as a fast
and
successful prowler off Cape Cod, Boston and other American ports. She was
captured briefly by the Americans during the war, but soon retaken by
the British and returned to cruising under her old name. The
success
of this tiny raider caused
hysterical fear in American ports where newspapers, in anger and fear,
often exagerated her success (sometimes crediting her with up to 200
captures!) She was sold after the war to owners in Kingston Jamaica and
her subsequent fate is not known.Crew: 40
Tonnage: 67
Rig: Topsail Schooner
Armament: 5 guns (one 6 pdr and two 4 pdr cannon plus two 12 pdr carrondes)
Homeport: Liverpool
Letter of Marque Issued: Aug. 20, 1812
Captains: Thomas Freeman (1812), Joseph Barss Jnr. (1812-1813), Caleb Seely (1813-1815) and Lewis Knaut (1814)
Owners: Enos Collins, John Allision, and Joseph Barss
Prizes Taken: 50