Gustavus Conyngham, Irish-born American merchant sea captain, an officer in the Continental Navy and a privateer.

Gustavus Conyngham

Gustavus Conyngham was an Irish-born American merchant sea captain, an officer in the Continental Navy and a privateer. As a commissioned captain fighting the British in the American Revolutionary War, he captured 24 ships in the eastern Atlantic between May 1777 and May 1778,…

Continental Navy

American navy of the Revolutionary War period (1775–1785)

The Continental Navy was the navy of the United Colonies and United States from 1775 to 1785. It was founded on October 13, 1775 by the Continental Congress to fight against British forces and their allies as part of the American Revolutionary War. Due to the efforts of several…

Privateer

Person or ship engaging in maritime warfare under commission

A privateer is a private person or vessel which engages in commerce raiding under a commission of war. Since robbery under arms was a common aspect of seaborne trade, until the early 19th century all merchant ships carried arms. A sovereign or delegated authority issued…