The pirate "Tacony" burning merchant vessels and fishing craft. (Harper's Weekly). Shows a three-masted ship to the right of the scene, with two burning vessels to the left.
Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

June 23, 1863 – The Pirates Off Nantucket

Captain Frederick Nelson of the pilot-boat Charles H. Marshall No. 3, reports that on the 17th instant be spoke the fishing schooner Rose, of Boston, the captain of which came on board and reported having been boarded, the day previous, by a privateer, bearing N. by E. 30 miles from Nantucket. The pirate took two barrels of mackerel and all the pork they had on board. He said that he would not hurt any poor man but was looking out for the rich ones. Subsequently the pirate came alongside the pilot-boat and impudently inquired of the boat-keeper if he had seen any square-rigged vessels.

She is a three-masted schooner, apparently of English build, and carries three guns. When first seen she had British colors flying.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

June 9, 1861 – The First Charleston Prize

Confederate privateer Savannah
The Confederate States privateer Savannah, letter of marque No. 1, captured off Charleston, by the U. S. brig Perry, Lieut. Parrott.”

We learn on direct and reliable authority that a valuable prize has been secured by the Privateer Savannah, which left this port a few days ago between the bars of the Lincoln blockade.

This prize was the brig Joseph, of Portland, (Me.) from Havana, for Philadelphia, with a cargo of sugar, valued at $30,000, and was taken into Georgetown, South Carolina, in masterly style.