Existing comment:
A Privateering Life:
One in five sailors during the War of 1812 was African American. George Roberts (shown here in old age) served as a gunner aboard two privateer vessels, Sarah Ann and Chasseur. Some 130 letters of marque vessels sailed out of Fell's Point, at least 55 of them armed. These privateers captured from 556 enemy vessels, nearly half of the national total. |