Whaleboat

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 ClassSmall/Raiding Craft
Era Used18th century
Typical Crew6-10
Guns / Cannonssmall arms only
Speed / HandlingFast under oar, highly maneuverable
Notable UseCentral to "whaleboat warfare" raids in Long Island Sound during the Revolutionary War

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