The American Threat to the Newfoundland Fisheries, 1776-1777

This final chapter continues to explore the American threat to the Newfoundland fishery between 1776 and 1777, but pays more attention to the toll it took on the mercantile fishing community. It argues that American privateers targeted Newfoundland fishing vessels less out of purposeful strategy and more out of incidental circumstance. It examines the role of the privateer; the creation of the Continental Navy; attacks on the fishery; the role of public warships; the refitting of vessels for war; naval prizes; and risks taken by privateers, in order to fully assess the threat to the fishermen of Newfoundland. It concludes that America fundamentally struggled to wage an effective offensive against the British Newfoundland fisheries during the War of American Independence, though Newfoundland fishermen endured tremendous disruption during the campaign.