The Pirate Code, Letters of Marue & Reprisal, and the Privateers at Sea.

[TheNocturnalEgyptian]

Allow me to introduce a discussion on privateering as early corporations

I will ask you once again: Are you lost at sea?


It is scary how much of current law you can see in the 16th/17th century pirate / roaming naval corporation laws.




Question - To all the historians on here with a tag/description next to their name, please give me one or two super awesome bits of history from your respective areas of expertise.

eternalkerri [Colonization | Piracy] :

Hey, I got singled out, awesome!


So...something interesting about pirates...ah how about "The Pirate Code"?

Many have heard of it (probably from Pirates of the Caribbean), but have never seen a full copy, or understand it's major importance as one of the first democratic charters in the Western Hemisphere.

Now, firstly, the Pirate Code derives from a Privateer's Code or more accurately "Charter". Throughout most of the 17th Century, many European nations could not afford the huge navies of the 18th, nor could they spare ships for their overseas possessions for the most part. Therefore, they created Privateers, or to avoid the fancy name...naval mercenaries. Individuals would receive from a sufficiently endowed governor or royal court a Letter of Marque and Reprisal. This royal decree made these mercenaries bona fide naval ships. They were not subject to Royal Navy rules and regulations, but they had to remain within their limits spelled out in their letter. This usually mean carrying and flying the flag of their sponsoring nation and only attacking ships they were authorized. Since these ships were private property, they were essentially contractors who got to keep the majority of the loot, but had to give some to the crown. The crews therefore were also contractors as well who would sign on with the Captain under a set of business agreements (share of the loot, conditions, deferring of authority, etc.)

By the time the Golden Age of Piracy (late 17th early 18th Centuries), many of these men had become accustomed to these conditions of working on contracts. They modified these privateers codes to be the Pirates Code. They varied in length, reward system, duties and obligations, but generally followed a general set of rules...and "Parley" was not among them.

These codes roughly were...


Every Man Shall obey civil Command; the Captain shall have one full Share and a half of all Prizes; the Master, Carpenter, Boatswain and Gunner, Quartermaster, Doctor shall have one Share and quarter.

Essentially, this says that the Captain and his officers are in charge. Now, the interesting thing is, for the most part, that was only during actual fights. The rest of the time, he worked on other duties, be it careening, mending, charting the ship, etc. Now, since the Captain was the one planning the voyage, managing the ship overall, and leading in combat, he got the largest share (especially since the boat was often his) The other men had obvious special duties. The master was the navigator and head sailor, the carpenter was in charge of repairs, boatswains were sort of team leaders, gunners were the arms keepers, the doctor was...the doctor, and the Quartermaster was in charge of supplies.

It's interesting to note that among pirates, the Quartermaster was often more important than the captain. The quartermaster generally was literate as he had to maintain the supplies, he kept track of the loot, was the voice of the crew, and often settled the disputes on board. Essentially, he was the ships Sergeant Major or Chief of the ship. Many pirate captains started off as Quartermasters.


If any Man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret from the Company, he shall be marooned. If any Man shall steal any Thing in the Company, or game, to the Value of "X", he shall be marooned or shot.

Pirates were criminals, and for them there was no 10 years in prison, it was freedom or the gallows below the high tide mark (Admiralty Laws and all that). So for one to run in cowardice and maybe create a route, that was bad, and if they got away, terrible for morale. Marooning was the preferred death sentence given by pirates. You were essentially left to die on a deserted island. The loot was meant to be divided up at the end of the voyage and not before. If you were caught stealing, cheating at a game, you were breaking the trust of the charter, and breaking the mutual trust of each other for survival. Strangely, this made pirates often more honest than most merchantmen and naval officers...


That Man that shall strike another whilst these Articles are in force, shall receive "X" punishment

Fighting and factionalism aboard ship were a big no no. The idea was not only to enforce discipline, but to keep bad blood down. Most pirates were poor sailors who had been abused and beaten by naval officers or merchant captains. It was humiliating and de-humanizing. So the pirates decided that fighting and abusing others on board was what the men they were robbing from would do, and they wanted to be better than that.


That Man that shall snap his Arms, or smoke Tobacco in the Hold, without a Cap to his Pipe, or carry a Candle lighted without a Lanthorn, shall suffer "X" punishment (often death or marooning).

Ok, so you are below decks on a big wooden ship covered in tar that is full of gun powder. Snapping off the flint of a weapon on being careless with an open flame usually mean a huge pirate killing kaboom. It was unsafe and stupid. Simple enough.


That Man shall not keep his Arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such other Punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit.

Essentially, be ready for battle, do your job, and stay sharp. These men's lives and lively hood depending on good weapons, being moderately sober, and taking care of the ship. If you neglected that, you were putting others lives in jeopardy.


If any Man shall lose a "X" body part in their duties, they shall be rewarded with an additional "Y" amount of loot and remain aboard as long as he shall think fit.

This one is probably the most important and fascinating of all. Health and disability insurance was unheard of in those days. It simply didn't exist. These men were sailors, a physically demanding, dangerous, often deadly job. Many took up the thankless and low paid line of work because of no jobs or opportunities at home. They suffered from scurvy, lashing from cruel officers, died in droves on voyages (it was common to loose 20% of the crew on any given cruise from accident and disease), and were often screwed out of the money they deserved. If they were maimed, that was it...they couldn't work and became paupers begging on the docks. So when these men came together, they knew to many men who had been screwed because of this. So, what they decided to do, was to compensate the men who gave up a hand, finger, toe, leg, eye, etc. for the greater welfare of the crew. This money was often enough to buy a crude prosthetic, a small scrap of land to farm, and keep them generally taken care of. They could also stay with the crew and not be thrown to the wolves on shore. They could stay with the ship and do what they could to help out, taking a fair share of the loot.

This simply put, was unheard of, and didn't see it's likeness for decades more in other places in society.

There were other rules based upon the tastes of the Captain. Some would keep holy the Sabbath, some would maintain ships bands, some made rules about women, rules on drinking, work shifts and duties, etc.

I could go into more detail about a lot of other things, but I figured this is something that is really fascinating about pirates, and a good place to begin to learn about their culture and the world they inhabited


What a scary place the law of the sea is. Sounds a whole hell of a lot like corporate law. Who really thought this type of law would produce a good society?

[Glass]

Excellent post. I firmly believe that piracy is flourishing. It never left us, it just got "legitimate". We live in this reality plane of admiralty and mercantilism.

[osoab]

palani had a post a few months back that related the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series to how law really works.

Anyone else remember the post. I can't find it now or the link to the site that was in the post. It would be relevant here.


edit.

Found it.


Thread
Pirates of the Carribean ... or Why I Have No Will (http://gold-silver.us/forum/showthread.php?54282-Pirates-of-the-Carribean-...-or-Why-I-Have-No-Will)



link
http://metaphilm.com/index.php/detai...the-caribbean/ (http://metaphilm.com/index.php/detail/pirates-of-the-caribbean/)

[osoab]

No pirate thread is complete without this imho.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G_L9tXEwmc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G_L9tXEwmc

[TheNocturnalEgyptian]

So this book:

The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783 by Alfred Thayer Mahan

Kaiser Wilhelm was rumored to have slept with a copy of it. It explains much of the set-up that defined the naval situation 1890-1914, the lead up to WW I.

I am starting it and it is pretty interesting. A bit encyclopedic so you can skip around.


http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Influence_of_Sea_Power_upon_History


http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+Influence+of+Sea+Power+Upon+History%2 C+1660-1783+


Preface

Introductory

Chapter I: Discussion of the Elements of Sea Power.
History of Sea Power one of contest between nations, therefore largely military
Permanence of the teachings of history
Unsettled condition of modern naval opinion
Contrasts between historical classes of war-ships
Essential distinction between weather and lee gage
Analogous to other offensive and defensive positions
Consequent effect upon naval policy
Lessons of history apply especially to strategy
Less obviously to tactics, but still applicable
Naval strategic combinations surer now than formerly
Wide scope of naval strategy



Chapter II: State of Europe in 1660. Second Anglo-Dutch War, 1665-1667. Sea Battles of Lowestoft and of the Four Days.
The sea a great common
Advantages of water-carriage over that by land
Navies exist for the protection of commerce
Dependence of commerce upon secure seaports
Development of colonies and colonial posts
Links in the chain of Sea Power: production, shipping, colonies
General conditions affecting Sea Power:
I. Geographical position
II. Physical conformation
III. Extent of territory
IV. Number of population
V. National character
VI. Character and policy of governments
England
Holland
France
Influence of colonies on Sea Power
The United States:
Its weakness in Sea Power
Its chief interest in internal development
Danger from blockades
Dependence of the navy upon the shipping interest
Conclusion of the discussion of the elements of Sea Power
Purpose of the historical narrative



Chapter III: War of England and France in Alliance Against the United Provinces, 1672-1674.--Finally, of France Against Combined Europe, 1674-1678.--Sea Battles of Solebay, the Texel, and Stromboli.
Accession of Charles II. and Louis XIV
Followed shortly by general wars
French policy formulated by Henry IV. and Richelieu
Condition of France in 1660
Condition of Spain
Condition of the Dutch United Provinces
Their commerce and colonies
Character of their government
Parties in the State
Condition of England in 1660
Characteristics of French, English, and Dutch ships
Conditions of other European States
Louis XIV. The leading personality in Europe
His policy
Colbert's administrative acts
Second Anglo-Dutch War, 1665
Battle of Lowestoft, 1665
Fire-ships, compared with torpedo-cruisers
The group formation
The order of battle for sailing-ships
The Four Days' Battle, 1666
Military merits of the opposing fleets
Soldiers commanding fleets, discussion
Ruyter in the Thames, 1667
Peace of Breda, 1667
Military value of commerce-destroying



Chapter IV: English Revolution. War of the League of Augsburg, 1688-1697. Sea Battles of Beachy Head and La Hougue.
Aggressions of Louis XIV. on Spanish Netherlands
Policy of the United Provinces
Triple alliance between England, Holland, and Sweden
Anger of Louis XIV
Leibnitz proposes to Louis to seize Egypt
His memorial
Bargaining between Louis XIV. and Charles II.
The two kings declare war against the United Provinces
Military character of this war
Naval strategy of the Dutch
Tactical combinations of De Ruyter
Inefficiency of Dutch naval administration
Battle of Solebay, 1672
Tactical comments
Effect of the battle on the course of the war
Land campaign of the French in Holland
Murder of John De Witt, Grand Pensionary of Holland
Accession to power of William of Orange
Uneasiness among European States
Naval battles off Schoneveldt, 1673
Naval battle of the Texel, 1673
Effect upon the general war
Equivocal action of the French fleet
General ineffectiveness of maritime coalitions
Military character of De Ruyter
Coalition against France
Peace between England and the United Provinces
Sicilian revolt against Spain
Battle of Stromboli, 1676
Illustration of Clerk's naval tactics
De Ruyter killed off Agosta
England becomes hostile to France
Sufferings of the United Provinces
Peace of Nimeguen, 1678
Effects of the war on France and Holland
Notice of Comte D'Estrees



Chapter V: War of the Spanish Succession, 1702-1713. Sea Battle of Malaga.
Failure of the Spanish line of the House of Austria
King of Spain wills the succession to the Duke of Anjou
Death of the King of Spain
Louis XIV. accepts the bequests
He seizes towns in Spanish Netherlands
Offensive alliance between England, Holland, and Austria
Declarations of war
The allies proclaim Carlos III. King of Spain
Affair of the Vigo galleons
Portugal joins the allies
Character of the naval warfare
Capture of Gibraltar by the English
Naval battle of Malaga, 1704
Decay of the French navy
Progress of the land war
Allies seize Sardinia and Minorca
Disgrace of Marlborough
England offers terms of peace
Peace of Utrecht, 1713
Terms of the peace
Results of the war to the different belligerents
Commanding position of Great Britain
Sea Power dependent upon both commerce and naval strength
Peculiar position of France as regards Sea Power
Depressed condition of France
Commercial prosperity of England
Ineffectiveness of commerce-destroying
Duguay-Trouin's expedition against Rio de Janeiro, 1711
War between Russia and Sweden



Chapter VI: The Regency in France. Alberoni in Spain. Policies of Walpole and Fleuri. War of the Polish Succession. English Contraband Trade in Spanish America. Great Britain Declares War Against Spain, 1715-1739.
Death of Queen Anne and Louis XIV
Accession of George I
Regency of Philip of Orleans
Administration of Alberoni in Spain
Spaniards invade Sardinia
Alliance of Austria, England, Holland, and France
Spaniards invade Sicily
Destruction of Spanish navy off Cape Passaro, 1718
Failure and dismissal of Alberoni
Spain accepts terms
Great Britain interferes in the Baltic
Death of Philip of Orleans
Administration of Fleuri in France
Growth of French commerce
France in the East Indies
Troubles between England and Spain
English contraband trade in Spanish America
Illegal search of English ships
Walpole's struggles to preserve peace
War of the Polish Succession
Creation of the Bourbon kingdom of the Two Sicilies
Bourbon family compact
France acquires Bar and Lorraine
England declares war against Spain
Morality of the English action toward Spain
Decay of the French navy
Death of Walpole and of Fleuri



Chapter VII: War Between Great Britain and Sapin, 1739. War of the Austrian Succession, 1740. France Joins Spain Against Great Britain, 1744. Sea Battles of Matthews, Anson, and Hawke. Peace of Aix-La-Chapelle, 1748.
Characteristics of the wars from 1739 to 1783
Neglect of the navy by French government
Colonial possessions of the French, English, and Spaniards
Dupleix and La Bourdonnais in India
Condition of the contending navies
Expeditions of Vernon and Anson
Outbreak of the War of the Austrian Succession
England allies herself to Austria
Naval affairs in the Mediterranean
Influence of Sea Power on the war
Naval battle off Toulon, 1744
Causes of English failure
Courts-martial following the action
Inefficient action of English navy
Capture of Louisburg by New England colonists, 1745
Causes which concurred to neutralize England's Sea Power
France overruns Belgium and invades Holland
Naval actions of Anson and Hawke
Brilliant defence of Commodore l'Etenduere
Projects of Dupleix and La Bourdonnais in the East Indies
Influence of Sea Power in Indian affairs
La Bourdonnais reduces Madras
Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, 1748
Madras exchanged for Louisburg
Results of the war
Effect of Sea Power on the issue



Chapter VIII: Seven Years' War, 1756-1763. England's Overwhelming Power and Conquests on the Seas, in North America, Europe, and East and West Indies. Sea Battles: Byng off Minorca; Hawke and Conflans; Pocock and D'Ache in East Indies.
Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle leaves many questions unsettled
Dupleix pursues his aggressive policy
He is recalled from India
His policy abandoned by the French
Agitation in North America
Braddock's expedition, 1755
Seizure of French ships by the English, while at peace
French expedition against Port Mahon, 1756
Byng sails to relieve the place
Byng's action off Port Mahon, 1756
Characteristics of the French naval policy
Byng returns to Gibraltar
He is relieved, tried by court-martial, and shot
Formal declarations of war by England and France
England's appreciation of the maritime character of the war
France is drawn into a continental struggle
The Seven Years' War (1756-1763) begins
Pitt becomes Prime Minister of England
Operations in North America
Fall of Louisburg, 1758
Fall of Quebec, 1759, and of Montreal, 1760
Influence of Sea Power on the continental war
English plans for the general naval operations
Choiseul becomes Minister in France
He plans an invasion of England
Sailing of the Toulon fleet, 1759
Its disastrous encounter with Boscawen
Consequent frustration of the invasion of England
Project to invade Scotland
Sailing of the Brest fleet
Hawke falls in with it and disperses it, 1759
Accession of Charles III. To Spanish throne
Death of George II
Clive in India
Battle of Plassey, 1757
Decisive influence of Sea Power upon the issues in India
Naval actions between Pocock and D'Ache', 1758, 1759
Destitute condition of French naval stations in India
The French fleet abandons the struggle
Final fall of the French power in India
Ruined condition of the French navy
Alliance between France and Spain
England declares war against Spain
Rapid conquest of French and Spanish colonies
French and Spaniards invade Portugal
The invasion repelled by England
Severe reverses of the Spaniards in all quarters
Spain sues for peace
Losses of British mercantile shipping
Increase of British commerce
Commanding position of Great Britain
Relations of England and Portugal
Terms of the Treaty of Paris
Opposition to the treaty in Great Britain
Results of the maritime war
Results of the continental war
Influence of Sea Power in countries politically unstable
Interest of the United States in the Central American Isthmus
Effects of the Seven Years' War on the later history of Great Britain
Subsequent acquisitions of Great Britain
British success due to maritime superiority
Mutual dependence of seaports and fleets



Chapter IX: Course of Events from the Peace of Paris to 1778. Maritime War Consequent upon the American Revolution. Battle off Ushant.
French discontent with the Treaty of Paris
Revival of the French navy
Discipline among French naval officers of the time
Choiseul's foreign policy
Domestic troubles in Great Britain
Controversies with the North American colonies
Genoa cedes Corsica to France
Dispute between England and Spain about the Falkland Islands
Choiseul dismissed
Death of Louis XV
Naval policy of Louis XVI
Characteristics of the maritime war of 1778
Instructions of Louis XVI. To the French admirals
Strength of English navy
Characteristics of the military situation in America
The line of the Hudson
Burgoyne's expedition from Canada
Howe carries his army from New York to the Chesapeake
Surrender of Burgoyne, 1777
American privateering
Clandestine support of the Americans by France
Treaty between France and the Americans
Vital importance of the French fleet to the Americans
The military situation in the different quarters of the globe
Breach between France and England
Sailing of the British and French fleets
Battle of Ushant, 1778
Position of a naval commander-in-chief in battle



Chapter X: Maritime War in North America and West Indies, 1778-1781. Its Influence upon the Course of the American Revolution. Fleet Actions off Grenada, Dominica, and Chesapeake Bay.
D'Estaing sails from Toulon for Delaware Bay, 1778
British ordered to evacuate Philadelphia
Rapidity of Lord Howe's movements
D'Estaing arrives too late
Follows Howe to New York
Fails to attack there and sails for Newport
Howe follows him there
Both fleets dispersed by a storm
D'Estaing takes his fleet to Boston
Howe's activity foils D'Estaing at all points
D'Estaing sails for the West Indies
The English seize Sta. Lucia
Ineffectual attempts of D'Estaing to dislodge them
D'Estaing captures Grenada
Naval battle of Grenada, 1779; English ships crippled
D'Estaing fails to improve his advantages
Reasons for his neglect
French naval policy
English operations in the Southern States
D'Estaing takes his fleet to Savannah
His fruitless assault on Savannah
D'Estaing returns to France
Fall of Charleston
De Guichen takes command in the West Indies
Rodney arrives to command English fleet
His military character
First action between Rodney and De Guichen, 1780
Breaking the line
Subsequent movements of Rodney and De Guichen
Rodney divides his fleet
Goes in person to New York
De Guichen returns to France
Arrival of French forces in Newport
Rodney returns to the West Indies
War between England and Holland
Disasters to the United States in 1780
De Grasse sails from Brest for the West Indies, 1781
Engagement with English fleet off Martinique.
Cornwallis overruns the Southern States
He retires upon Wilmington, N. C., and thence to Virginia
Arnold on the James River
The French fleet leaves Newport to intercept Arnold
Meets the English fleet off the Chesapeake, 1781
French fleet returns to Newport
Cornwallis occupies Yorktown
De Grasse sails from Hayti for the Chesapeake
Action with the British fleet, 1781
Surrender of Cornwallis, 1781
Criticism of the British naval operations
Energy and address shown by De Grasse
Difficulties of Great Britain's position in the war of 1778.
The military policy best fitted to cope with them
Position of the French squadron in Newport, R. I., 1780.
Great Britain's defensive position and inferior numbers.
Consequent necessity for a vigorous initiative
Washington's opinions as to the influence of Sea Power on the American contest



Chapter XI: Maritime War in Europe, 1779-1782.
Objectives of the allied operations in Europe
Spain declares war against England
Allied fleets enter the English Channel, 1779
Abortive issue of the cruise
Rodney sails with supplies for Gibraltar
Defeats the Spanish squadron of Langara and relieves the place
The allies capture a great British convoy
The armed neutrality of the Baltic powers, 1780
England declares war against Holland
Gibraltar is revictualled by Admiral Derby
The allied fleets again in the Channel, 1781
They retire without effecting any damage to England
Destruction of a French convoy for the West Indies
Fall of Port Mahon, 1782
The allied fleets assemble at Algesiras
Grand attack of the allies on Gibraltar, which fails, 1782
Lord Howe succeeds in revictualling Gibraltar
Action between his fleet and that of the allies
Conduct of the war of 1778 by the English government
Influence of Sea Power
Proper use of the naval force



Chapter XII: Events in the East Indies, 1778-1781. Suffren Sails from Brest for India, 1781. His Brilliant Naval Campaign in the Indian Seas, 1782, 1783.
Neglect of India by the French government
England at war with Mysore and with the Mahrattas
Arrival of the French squadron under Comte d'Orves
It effects nothing and returns to the Isle of France
Suffren sails from Brest with five ships-of-the-line, 1781
Attacks an English squadron in the Cape Verde Islands, 1781
Conduct and results of this attack
Distinguishing merits of Suffren as a naval leader
Suffren saves the Cape Colony from the English
He reaches the Isle of France
Succeeds to the chief command of the French fleet
Meets the British squadron under Hughes at Madras
Analysis of the naval strategic situation in India
The first battle between Suffren and Hughes, Feb. 17, 1782
Suffren's views of the naval situation in India
Tactical oversights made by Suffren
Inadequate support received by him from his captains
Suffren goes to Pondicherry, Hughes to Trincomalee
The second battle between Suffren and Hughes, April 12, 1782
Suffren's tactics in the action
Relative injuries received by the opposing fleets
Contemporaneous English criticisms upon Hughes's conduct
Destitute condition of Suffren's fleet
His activity and success in supplying wants
He communicates with Hyder Ali, Sultan of Mysore
Firmness and insight shown by Suffren
His refusal to obey orders from home to leave the Indian Coast
The third battle between Suffren and Hughes, July 6, 1782
Qualities shown by Hughes
Stubborn fighting by the British admiral and captains
Suffren deprives three captains of their commands
Dilatory conduct of Admiral Hughes
Suffren attacks and takes Trincomalee
Strategic importance of this success
Comparative condition of the two fleets in material for repairs
The English government despatches powerful reinforcements
The French court fails to support Suffren
The fourth battle between Suffren and Hughes, Sept. 3, 1782
Mismanagement and injuries of the French
Contrast between the captains in the opposing fleets
Two ships of Suffren's fleet grounded and lost
Arrival of British reinforcements under Admiral Bickerton
Approach of bad-weather season; Hughes goes to Bombay
Military situation of French and English in India
Delays of the French reinforcements under Bussy
Suffren takes his fleet to Achem, in Sumatra
He returns to the Indian coast
Arrival of Bussy
Decline of the French power on shore
The English besiege Bussy in Cuddalore by land and sea
Suffren relieves the place
The fifth battle between Suffren and Hughes, June 20, 1783
Decisive character of Suffren's action
News of the peace received at Madras
Suffren sails for France
His flattering reception everywhere
His distinguishing military qualities
His later career and death



Chapter XIII: Events in the West Indies after the Surrender of Yorktown. Encounters of De Grasse with Hood. The Sea Battle of the Saints. 1781-1782.
Maritime struggle transferred from the continent to West Indies
De Grasse sails for the islands
French expedition against the island of St. Christopher, January, 1782
Hood attempts to relieve the garrison
Manoeuvres of the two fleets
Action between De Grasse and Hood
Hood seizes the anchorage left by De Grasse
De Grasse attacks Hood at his anchorage
Hood maintains his position
Surrender of the garrison and island
Merits of Hood's action
Criticism upon De Grasse's conduct
Rodney arrives in West Indies from England
Junction of Rodney and Hood at Antigua
De Grasse returns to Martinique
Allied plans to capture Jamaica
Rodney takes his station at Sta. Lucia
The French fleet sails and is pursued by Rodney
Action of April 9, 1782
Criticism upon the action
The chase continued; accidents to French ships
The naval battle of the Saints, April 12, 1782
Rodney breaks the French line
Capture of the French commander-in-chief and five ships-of-the-line
Details of the action
Analysis of the effects of Rodney's manoeuvre
Tactical bearing of improvements in naval equipment
Lessons of this short naval campaign
Rodney's failure to pursue the French fleet
Examination of his reasons and of the actual conditions
Probable effect of this failure upon the conditions of peace
Rodney's opinions upon the battle of April 12
Successes achieved by Rodney during his command
He is recalled by a new ministry
Exaggerated view of the effects of this battle upon the war
Subsequent career of De Grasse
Court-martial ordered upon the officers of the French fleet
Findings of the court
De Grasse appeals against the finding
He is severely rebuked by the king
Deaths of De Grasse, Rodney, and Hood



Chapter XIV: Critical Discussion of the Maritime War of 1778.
The war of 1778 purely maritime
Peculiar interest therefore attaching to it
Successive steps in the critical study of a war
Distinction between "object" and "objective"
Parties to the war of 1778
Objects of the different belligerents
Foundations of the British Empire of the seas
Threatened by the revolt of the colonies
The British fleet inferior in numbers to the allies
Choice of objectives
The fleets indicated as the keys of the situation everywhere
Elements essential to an active naval war
The bases of operations in the war of 1778
In Europe
On the American continent
In the West Indies
In the East Indies
Strategic bearing of the trade-winds and monsoons
The bases abroad generally deficient in resources
Consequent increased importance of the communications
The navies the guardians of the communications
Need of intermediate ports between Europe and India
Inquiry into the disposition of the naval forces
Difficulty of obtaining information at sea
Perplexity as to the destination of a naval expedition
Disadvantages of the defensive
England upon the defensive in 1778
Consequent necessity for wise and vigorous action
The key of the situation
British naval policy in the Napoleonic wars
British naval policy in the Seven Years' War
Difficulties attending this policy
Disposition of the British navy in the war of 1778
Resulting inferiority on many critical occasions
Effect oil the navy of the failure to fortify naval bases
The distribution of the British navy exposes it to being out-numbered at many points
The British naval policy in 1778 and in other wars compared
Naval policy of the allies
Dives-gent counsels of the coalition
"Ulterior objects"
The allied navies systematically assume a defensive attitude
Dangers of this line of action
Glamour of commerce-destroying
The conditions of peace, 1783

[Twisted Titan]

My Will

When my kids reach a accountable age They will given three sacks of coinage a piece.

They are to do as follows.

The first sack may be spent so they can understand the power of what gold and silver it must be exprienced to be understood.

The second sack is to be unsed for investing in patticular leveraging. Having used the sack you will invest in the area you have studied and show promise of best return.

The third sack is your final trump card....should the first two sacks be lost.....The third is not to be touched.....it is to be passed on to the next generation.as they may succed where you failed.If you do not have the discipline to follow my instruction then The bloodline is lost and
will have shamed me and deserve the debt chains that will surely be bound to your neck,hand and foot.

[woodman]

My Will

When my kids reach a accountable age They will given three sacks of coinage a piece.

They are to do as follows.

The first sack may be spent so they can understand the power of what gold and silver it must be exprienced to be understood.

The second sack is to be unsed for investing in patticular leveraging. Having used the sack you will invest in the area you have studied and show promise of best return.

The third sack is your final trump card....should the first two sacks be lost.....The third is not to be touched.....it is to be passed on to the next generation.as they may succed where you failed.If you do not have the discipline to follow my instruction then The bloodline is lost and
will have shamed me and deserve the debt chains that will surely be bound to your neck,hand and foot.

Don't give them the third sack TT. If they lose the first two they won't have the discipline to pass on the last.

I can definitely see an evolutionary trail here as far as piracy and corporate workings. Many analogies present themselves. The ocean is akin to the sea of commerce. Corporations themselves are akin to self-contained ships. They are all afloat on the sea-of-commerce battling for booty in the form of market share, etc.

[SLV^GLD]

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRhttLZGlU-aSZnUZegD3UHM4Mt_5eGqX9FjhNRxCu6-7sBo-Ji

[gunDriller]

reminds me of that movie "Master & Commander".

anybody see it ?

[woodman]

reminds me of that movie "Master & Commander".

anybody see it ?

A really great movie. I believe I will watch it tonight as I haven't seen it in awhile.