The whaleboat was a light, narrow, double-ended open boat, originally built for whale hunting, that American irregular privateersmen adapted for fast hit-and-run raids on Loyalist and British shipping during the Revolutionary War, a campaign later called “whaleboat warfare.”
Quick Facts
| Ship Class | Small/Raiding Craft |
|---|---|
| Era Used | 18th century |
| Typical Crew | 6-10 |
| Guns / Cannons | small arms only |
| Speed / Handling | Fast under oar, highly maneuverable |
| Notable Use | Central to "whaleboat warfare" raids in Long Island Sound during the Revolutionary War |
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