The Privateersman
The Privateersman is a novel by Frederick Marryat that follows the adventures of Captain Frank Mildmay and his crew aboard the privateer ship, The Dolphin. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the story explores themes of loyalty, honor, and betrayal as Mildmay navigates treacherous waters both on land and at sea. Along the way, he encounters a cast of colorful characters, including a beautiful French spy, a ruthless pirate captain, and a mysterious stranger who may hold the key to his past. With its fast-paced action and vivid descriptions of life on the high seas, The Privateersman is a thrilling adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.
By Frederick Marryat · First published 1836 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Nautical Fiction · 17 chapters · 140,712 words
First lines
_To Mistress_ -- .
_Respected Madam_,
What this Textopian page supports
The Privateersman is listed on Textopian as a novel by Frederick Marryat, dated 1836 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Frederick Marryat
- Date: 1836 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Nautical Fiction, War Fiction, Romance
- Length: 140,712 words
- Structure: 17 chapters, 1,885 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Privateersman by Frederick Marryat
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Privateersman?
- How does this novel by Frederick Marryat fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Newton Forster by Frederick Marryat
- The Three Cutters by Frederick Marryat
- The Pirate by Frederick Marryat
- A Modern Buccaneer by Rolf Boldrewood
- The King Of Pirates by Daniel Defoe
- A Ladder Of Swords by Gilbert Parker
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a historical context, focusing on maritime adventures during the Napoleonic Wars.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around sea voyages, battles, and the protagonist's daring exploits.
- Nautical Fiction — The story is centered on life at sea, with detailed descriptions of ships and naval life.
- War Fiction — The themes include military conflict and the impact of war on individuals and society.
Tags
adventure · pirates · naval · historical fiction · sea battles · romance · treasure · sailing · 19th century · British literature · privateering · action
Contents
- We Cruise off Hispaniola -- Capture of a French Ship -- Continue our Cruise -- Make a Nocturnal Attack Upon a Rich Planter's Dwelling -- are Repulsed with Loss
- We are Pursued by Two Schooner-Privateers, and Failing to Escape them a Terrible Contest Ensues -- Three Acts of a Murderous Naval Drama -- we are Worsted -- Captain Weatherall is Killed -- I am Plundered and Wounded
- We are Sent in, on Board the Revenge, and Treated with Great Cruelty -- are Afterwards Recaptured by the Hero Privateer, and Retaliate on the French -- I am Taken to the Hospital at Port Royal, where I Meet the French Lady -- her Savage Exultation at my Condition -- she is Punished by One of my Comrades
- Sail for Liverpool in the Sally and Kitty -- Fall in with a Gale -- Boy Overboard -- Nearly Drowned in Attempting to Save him -- See the Owners at Liverpool -- Embark in the Dalrymple for the Coast of Africa -- Arrive off Senegal
- In Crossing the Bar at Senegal the Boat is Upset by a Tornado -- we Escape being Devoured by Sharks only to be Captured by the Natives -- are Taken into the Interior of the Country, and Brought before the Negro King, from Whose Wrath we are Saved by the Intercession of his Female Attendants
- I am Given as a Slave to the Old King's Favourite, Whyna -- Assist my Young Mistress to Make her Toilet -- Hold Frequent Conversations with her, and Become Strongly Attached to her -- my Hatred and Dread of the Old King Increase -- he Shoots a Man with Bird-Arrows
- I Attend the King on a Hunting Expedition -- Chase of Wild Animals -- Whyna and I in Great Danger from a Tiger -- Barbarity of the King to my Young Mistress -- I Try to Soothe her -- I and my Companions are Ransomed -- Sad Parting with Whyna -- after an Encounter with a Hostile People, we Reach Senegal -- Return to England
- The Liverpool Ladies are very Civil to me -- I am Admitted into Good Society -- Introduced to Captain Levee -- again Sail to Senegal -- Overhear a Conspiracy to Seize the Ship by the Crew of a Slaver, but am Enabled to Defeat it -- am Thanked and Rewarded by the Owner -- Take a Trip to London with Captain Levee -- Stopped by Highwaymen on the Road -- Put up at a Tavern -- Dissipated Town Life -- Remove to a Genteel Boarding-House -- Meet with a Government Spy -- Return to Liverpool
- I am Put in Command of the Sparrow-Hawk -- am Directed to Take Four Jacobite Gentlemen Secretly on Board -- Run with them to Bordeaux -- Land them in Safety -- Dine with the Governor -- Meet with the Widow of the French Gentleman I had Unfortunately Killed -- am Insulted by her Second Husband -- Agree to Fight with him -- Sail down the River and Prepare for Action
- Captain Levee and I Engage with the French Privateer -- we Come off Victorious -- my Revenge against the French Lady -- we Take our Prize to Liverpool
- I Cause myself to be Dismissed from my Owner's Service -- am Arrested -- Conveyed to London, and Confined in the Tower -- am Visited by a Romish Priest, and through his Interference Obtain my Liberation -- Set off to Liverpool, and Find my Owner and Captain Levee -- their Surprise -- Miss Trevannion
- I State my Newly-Awakened Scruples as to the Lawfulness of a Privateersman's Life to Mr. Trevannion, but Nevertheless Undertake Another Cruise -- Save a Youth from Drowning, who he Proves to be -- Conflict with a French Privateer -- Take her and Deliver a Prize -- Return to Liverpool -- Resign the Command of the Sparrow-Hawk, and Agree to Superintend Mr. Trevannion's Business
- After Staying a Year with him, Mr. Trevannion Proposes to Take me into Partnership, but I Decline the Offer from Conscientious Motives -- Miss Trevannion Treats me with Unmerited Coldness -- this and her Father's Anger Make me Resolve to Quit the House -- what I Overhear and See before my Departure -- the Ring
- A Conspiracy, which Ends Satisfactorily to all Parties -- Privateering is Abandoned, and Captain Levee and Philip Serve the King
- We Return to Liverpool -- I have an Interview with Miss Trevannion -- Plutus Interferes with Cupid, and I Sail again for the Coast of Africa
- The Diamond-Mines, and what Occurred there -- I Lose my Friend Ingram, and Another Acquaintance, but they both Leave me Valuable Legacies
- My Adventures with the Indians, with what Happened to the Portuguese Captain, my Companion