Dart (privateer)

A Dart was a privately owned armed vessel commissioned by a government to attack enemy shipping during wartime, a practice known as privateering. Operating under a letter of marque, the Dart would be authorized to seize enemy vessels and goods as prizes. The owners and crew of the Dart would then be entitled to a share of the value of the captured prizes, creating a profit incentive for privateering.

Compared to larger warships, Dart privateers were often smaller, faster, and more maneuverable. This allowed them to effectively harass enemy commerce, disrupt supply lines, and capture merchant ships. The legality of privateering varied, with some nations regarding privateers as legitimate combatants and others condemning them as pirates.

The use of Dart privateers was particularly prevalent during the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries. The name "Dart" itself likely alludes to the vessel's speed and swiftness in attack. While the practice of privateering was largely outlawed by the Declaration of Paris in 1856, the term Dart may still occasionally be used to evoke the image of a swift, privately-owned vessel engaged in maritime raiding. The size, armament, and crew size of a Dart privateer would vary depending on the commissioning nation and the intended target of their operations.