Privateering dates back to the 13^th century however, with the many conflicts between European powers it became more prevalent during the 17th, 18th, & early 19th centuries. Governments granted wartime powers against enemy ships to privately owned armed vessels. They were commissioned by a "Letter of Marque." The latter of Mark permitted the privateer to plunder enemy shipping. It was a system that was beneficial to the government, the country's citizens, the privateers and the ship owner. The purpose of a privateer was to disrupt the commerce of the enemy, and make money for the captain, the crew, and investors while providing trade goods to the sponsor country's citizens.

Privateers became auxiliaries to or substitutes for regular navies. This method of sea power gave countries with weaker naval powers an effective method of injuring a more powerful maritime rival.

Privateersmen often gained great wealth for themselves the ship owner/investors and the government under whose flag they sailed.

During the American War of Independence 792 Letters of Mark were issued, the se privateers captured 600 British ships with an estimated $18 million at today value. They also captured 16,000 British military prisoners and equipment at a time when Britain needed them most.

During the War of 1812 517 privateering Letters of Mark were issued which resulted in 13,000 prizes taken. Canadian privateers enjoyed great success against American merchant ships and coastal shipping.

 Privateering, nations required that captures be condemned in prize courts and that commissions be granted only in the name of the sovereign. Privateersmen were free of naval discipline, and their desire for prize often led them to make no distinction between friendly and enemy shipping, to violate the rules of war, and to indulge in lawlessness after the conclusion of peace. These abuses led to the abolition of privateering by the Declaration of Paris (1856). This declaration does not prohibit the creation of voluntary navies consisting of private vessels under the control of a state. So there is still hope for 21^st century adventurers.

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