American Privateers in War of 1812-- Part 4: The Famous American Captain Boyle and the Comet and Chasseur

One of the most successful privateers of the War of 1812 was Thomas Boyle.  His first ship, the Comet, once captured a Portuguese ship warship that was big enough to carry the Comet  on her deck.  The second one, the Chasseur,  carried sixteen 12-pdr. guns and was known as "The Pride of Baltimore."

During his first cruise in the Chasseur, Captain Boyle captured 18 British merchant ships  As a result, the British made extraordinary efforts to capture him.  He escaped from four men of war at once then nearly fell for a trap by two brigs, "but edged down on one of them... fired a shot at him, showed the Yanky flag, hauled upon a wind, and outsailed both with ease."

Over the next three days, he escaped groups of three, four and five British ships trying to capture him.

--Brock-Perry