Page "Privateer" Paragraph 33

Despite strong sentiments in support of the rebels, especially in the early stages, Bermudian privateers turned as aggressively on American shipping during the American War of Independence.

The importance of privateering to the Bermudian economy had been increased not only by the loss of most of Bermuda's continental trade, but also by the Palliser Act, which forbade Bermudian vessels from fishing the Grand Banks.

Bermudian trade with the rebellious American colonies actually carried on throughout the war.

Some historians credit the large number of Bermuda sloops ( reckoned at over a thousand ) built in Bermuda as privateers and sold illegally to the Americans as enabling the rebellious colonies to win their independence.

Also, the Americans were dependent on Turks salt, and one hundred barrels of gunpowder were stolen from a Bermudian magazine and supplied to the rebels at the request of George Washington, in exchange for which the Continental Congress authorised the sale of supplies to Bermuda, which was dependent on American produce.

The realities of this interdependence did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm with which Bermudian privateers turned on their erstwhile countrymen.