Nathaniel Shaler, American Privateer Captain-- Part 1

From the New London County Historical Society "Privateers."

Nathaniel Shaler (1775-1814)

He was the commander of the Governor Tompkins who wrote about the two valiant black sailors under his command in the previous two posts.

Was born in Bridgeport, New Hampshire, although his family was from Bolton and the Connecticut River Valley.  he and his brother William (who became a prominent mariner and diplomat)  were quite young when they went to sea.

Nathaniel was master of the brig Aurora when she was seized  for trading in violation of Portuguese regulations in Para, Brazil, in 1803.  He replaced the wounded Guy Champlin of the New York privateer brig  General Armstrong, making a successful cruise in 1813.

He then took command of the New York privateer Governor Tompkins in 1814 and was lost at sea  during her cruise.

--Brock-Perry