Privateer John Myers

This is just so clever.

In September 1806, Lt. John Myers was first lieutenant on the privateer TAMAR when the BON FORTUNE (4) was captured. Myers and 14 crewmen were the prize crew taking BON FORTUNE to a friendly port. The French privateer LE BRAVE (16), with 130 men, approached. During a slow approach, Myers devised a plan. Knowing that LE BRAVE had a habit of sending all of her crew aboard any vessel that resisted, he put all four of BON FORTUNE’s guns on the starboard side facing the French ship. He had the four guns loaded and all the remaining ammunition thrown overboard. Placing some loaded and primed firearms in his one boat, he had it tied near the port side of the cabin. After firing the guns, Myers led his men into the cabin. Once the crew of LE BRAVE boarded, Myers’ men entered the boat, rowed to the opposite side of LE BRAVE and overcame the four crewmen there. After casting off from the BON FORTUNE, Myers informed the privateer captain that he had no ammunition and no boat. Myers forced them to sail back to join the TAMAR.

If this clever tactic has not already appeared in a fictional account, it certainly ought to.

If you would like to read the original of this incident, check out "The Tables Turned" section of "Deeds of Naval Daring" by Giffard.

Mary, Giffard describes "Captain John Myers" as someone who began his career in the RN but spent his "riper years" in privateers. Could he be the John Myers in "The Life, Voyages and Travels of Capt. John Myers" that you have posted from?

Don