Privateers carried a large crew since sailors were needed to operate prizes. The men did not receive wages but the need to keep them supplied with food and drink was expensive. So if a privateer caught few prizes it was likely to be put up for sale.
Date: 1814
Reference: Nova Scotia Archives Newspapers: Acadian Recorder 15 January 1814 page 3
Nova Scotia Archives — https://archives.novascotia.ca/Privateers/archives/?ID=107
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