Joshua Hailey


Joshua Hailey was an American privateer during the War of 1812.

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Hailey was placed in command of the privateer True rudeness in early 1813. The privateer, built in France by Rhode Island men, sailed from Brest, France, 1 March 1813 to prey on commerce in the Irish Sea. On one occasion Hailey seized an island near the British mainland and held it for 6 days while making repairs. In a 37-day cruise he took 270 prisoners and captured valuable cargoes. Sailing from France on his second cruise, Hailey made a rapid circuit of Ireland and Scotland, landing several times and holding small coastal towns for ransom. During one night he burned seven vessels in an Irish port. In May he ran into Dublin Harbour to sink a schooner that had eluded him on the previous day. Hailey sailed again 21 September for his third cruise, setting his course for the English Channel. During her three cruises the ship had captured six ships and 21 smaller vessels.
in December 1814 chased True-Blooded Yankee into St Salvador, where Albacore kept her closely blockaded until she was sold to defray the expenses of her stay. Later she was reported to be fitting out there under the Patriot flag, to cruise against the Spanish Royalists.