Local History

Treasure on the High Seas

Privateers trawled the waves for enemy ships to plunder - in Liverpool they were very big business, sometimes bringing vast rewards. These were armed, privately-owned ships holding a government commission for use in war. They were particularly active during the American War of Independence and against the French in the 1770s. Between August 1778 and April 1779, 120 privateers were fitted out in Liverpool. The ships totalled 30,787 tons, carried 1,986 guns and were crewed by 8,754 men - all with a chance to share the loot. In 1777 alone it was recorded that 13 seamen each received £1,828 as a share of prize money (about £183,000 each today). To put this in perspective, a House of Lords enquiry into damage caused to commerce found that 559 British ships had been destroyed or taken, then worth a total of £1.8 million. However, the injury to American business amounted to about the same amount. Liverpool historian James Picton wrote a century later: “The privateer crews were very naturally a rough and lawless set, the terror of the town when on shore, committing many outrages.” These included breaking into a guardhouse and releasing men who had been rounded up by the Press Gang. This was a unit employed to enlist men forcibly into the Royal Navy, wandering the streets for prey. American privateers also roamed the seas - the most notorious was Paul Jones who harried shipping in the Irish Sea. Liverpool privateer and slave trader Captain Peter Baker hit the biggest jackpot after he built a ship called Mentor in 1778. Her planned owners thought she was not seaworthy and Baker faced ruin. He fitted Mentor out as a privateer and struck it rich when he captured the French East Indiaman Carnatic. Valued at £135,000 - around £13 million in today’s money - it was the richest prize taken by a Liverpool privateer. Baker built Carnatic Hall in honour of his trophy and purchased the manor of Garston with the proceeds. The hall was rebuilt later - a huge, opulent house off Elmswood Road, Mossley Hill. The spectacular staircase under a towering dome is pictured in 1947. Carnatic Hall was sadly demolished in 1964. At that time one contemporary considered the Hall was “singularly lacking in architectural grace”, a view not shared by many today.

Learn more about the history of Liverpool at the Museum of Liverpool, pier Head, admission free.

RICHARD & SHANNON JENKINS

Independent Family Funeral Directors

Richard and Shannon Jenkins Funeral directors are your local, trusted, independent funeral directors. We believe in being at the heart of the community, providing a rst class 24 hour service and building strong everlasting relations with you and your family at this very di cult time. “

We are everything but over priced”

PRE PAID FUNERALS AVAILABLE

PERSONAL ATTENTION OF Mr. Richard Jenkins • Ms. Shannon Jenkins • Mr. Richard Jenkins Jnr • Mr. Ryan Jenkins • Mr. Barry Jenkins Richard & Shannon Jenkins Funeral Directors Formerly of B. Jenkins & Sons 3 Allerton Road, Liverpool, L18 1LG