Capture of the Privateer Hannah

The Hannah, one of New London's early privateer vessels, exemplified both the promise and risk of privateering. Outfitted by local investors and crewed by New London mariners, the vessel captured several British prizes before eventually being taken by a Royal Navy warship.

The Hannah's career illustrated the high-stakes gamble of privateering: successful cruises could return enormous profits to investors and crews, but capture meant the loss of ship, cargo, and the freedom of every man aboard. Many privateer crews spent years in British prison ships or jails.