The Baltimore Fencibles-- Part 2: Privateer Interests

The Fencibles were also very actively engaged in the lucrative Baltimore privateer trade.  A large percentage of the men in this unit had large investments and time in numerous privateer vessels sailing out of Baltimore Harbor to prey on British merchant shipping.

The most notable of these was Captain Tom Boyle's ship, the Chasseur.  This ship later was widely known as the "Pride of Baltimore."

Privateers in the War of 1812 caused massive damage to the British economy, to the tune of over $40 million.  This is nearly what Britain was paying to wage a single year of military campaigns in North America at the time.

--Brock-Perry