Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution
Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution
Long before Martha’s Vineyard became a place of summer retreat, its shores were shaped by wind, tide, and the daring spirit of those who made their living at sea. In this online talk, award-winning author Eric Jay Dolin brings to life the thrilling and little-known story of America’s privateers—freelance sailors whose bold tactics played a decisive role in winning the Revolutionary War.
Drawing on vivid research and gripping storytelling, Dolin reveals how these entrepreneurial mariners, sailing everything from nimble whaleboats to heavily armed warships, harassed British forces across the Atlantic and along the New England coast. Their exploits unfolded in familiar waters, echoing the same maritime traditions that have long defined Martha’s Vineyard.
Filled with tales of daring captures, high-stakes chases, and remarkable resilience, Rebels at Sea offers a fresh perspective on the Revolution and celebrates the fearless seafaring spirit that continues to shape the Island’s identity.
BIO: Eric Jay Dolin is the author of seventeen books on maritime and American history, including Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America, Black Flags, Blue Waters, and Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution. His work has received numerous honors, including the John Lyman Award for U.S. Maritime History and the Samuel Eliot Morison Book Award for Naval Literature. Dolin lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
[Please note: This is an online program]
Admission: $10 per participant. Registered attendees will receive a link to join by email before the program begins.
DETAILS
| Date | March 16, 2026 |
|---|---|
| From | 5:00 pm |
| To | 6:00 pm |
| Type | Talk |
| Venue | Live on Zoom |