The rules governing privateering
The rules governing privateering
Prizes had to be brought back to the privateer's port of registration where they were the subject of an Admiralty Prize Court in which an Admiralty judge decided whether the boat and its cargo were lawful prizes
Admiralty Court
During the English Civil War, when Sir George Carteret’s fleet of privateers were constantly harassing Parliamentary vessels in the Channel and capturing many of them, the Admiralty Court sat at Elizabeth Castle where the masters, as they arrived, sought the confirmation of their prizes.
After a sufficient tithe had been obtained, the vessel and cargo was taken to St Aubin and a man, beating a drum, was sent through the town advising the inhabitants that there was to be a sale of a prize vessel and her cargo. The vessel was lying for inspection on the beach and people flocked to examine the condition of the vessel, her stores and cargo, all keenly anxious to pick up the best bargain possible.
At 2 pm a man began beating a drum to attract the attention of the crowd, and they gathered round the Denonciateur who was to conduct the sale. A table was fixed in the middle of the road and there sat a number of men interested in the venture. Apart from the Denonciateur, there was the Admiralty Judge who acted as auctioneer's clerk and wrote down the names of the buyers and the prices. Next to him sat Sir George's representative who took notes as to the amount due to the Lieut- Governor as King's representative.
There was also someone taking notes on behalf of the captain, who stood by and tried to look as if he were not interested in the matter, except as an onlooker. It was always a day of great excitement, and intending buyers and non-buyers vied with each other in making as much noise as possible. The Denonciateur, when he could make himself heard, offered the first lot of four barrels of oil and these were all sold for 15 ecus each, and so on until he came to the sale of the vessel seized.
18th century
The Old Court House in St Aubin is generally thought to have been the venue for the Admiralty Court in later times. Any prize ruled to be legitimate was sold and the profit was divided between the Crown, the shipowners and the crew. By the end of the 18th century this was usually 20% to the Crown and the rest was divided between the shipowners who received two thirds (53%) and the crew who received the rest (27%). Each of the crew members received a predetermined number of shares in the prize money depending on their role and their position in the ship. Captains were often part owners of ships as well.
Contract
The crew were often subject to formal contracts, setting out their obligations and rewards. Although it does not specifically apply to the Channel Islands, we have included typical articles of agreement and divisions of prizes in this linked article:
