"How privateering worked in the American Revolution" Topic

"In the war for American independence, an oft-forgotten force strangled British commerce, raided supply and seized ships for American use. While usually forgotten by history, privateersmen were the largest naval muscle of the Continental government. So much so that Massachusetts, Gen. George Washington, and the Continental Congress all authorized them.

So how did a privateersman or a ship owner enter the trade? And how did privateering work?…"

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Armand

Perhaps Ukraine could privateer Russian dark fleet tankers?

Bunkermeister

International law outlawed privateering late in the 19th Century.

Marker

International Law, technically the Declaration of Paris (1856), did outlaw Privateering. The United State (suprise!) didn't agree to the terms and set that they would continue to employ Privateers – that's why we get the Confederacy issuing Letters of Marque in the Civil War. Naturally, the Union, refused to recognise these letters (surprise) and tried several crews for piracy.

Unless Ukraine was a signatory to the treaty outlawing privateering, they're not bound by it.

Thanks.

Happy new year my dear cousin…

Armand

that's why we get the Confederacy issuing Letters of Marque in the Civil War

I thought most of the commerce raiding ended up being done by commissioned ships of the Confederate navy.

There were a number of privateers that operated out of southern ports, most notably Charleston. Three ships were particularly Sevannah, Jeffereson Davis, and Petral. All three were sailing vessels, had short careers. The crew of the Sevannah were put on trail for piracy after capture and condemned to be hanged. The response of the Confederate government was threaten to execute a similar number of senior Union officers. Eventually the crew of the Sevannah were treated as prisoners of war.

The Conderacy seems to have abandoned privateers because the shipowners who had vessels didn't consider it profitable.

If you want a source, I would recommend: Robinson, William Morrison, Jr. The Confederate privateers. Yale University, 1928. Reprint, Univ. of South Carolina, 1990.

Regarding Ukraine and privateering.
IF Ukraine is considered a "successor state" to the Russian Empire, perhaps it can be considered a signatory. BUT, isn't that part of Vlad the Impaler's justification?
Said privateers, if "legal", would then need an acceptable port to transport their prizes to.
But, what the heck. Let's have private licensed mercenary privateer fleets going after the "illegal" Russian ghost fleet of tankers. 🤷

By the way, the United States Constitution grants to Congress the authority to issue letters of Marque. Was that ever transferred to the Navy Department?

No, it is still in the hands of Congress.