“Otway Burns: North Carolina’s Homegrown Privateer”

Before the War of 1812, Otway Burns Jr. was a sailing master and commanded a merchant ship sailing between New Bern and Portland, Maine. When the war broke out, Burns became interested in privateering, the practice of government-authorized maritime warfare by privately-owned ships. With Letters of Marque from the U.S. government, Burns captured 42 English vessels and their cargo and captured more than 300 British sailors as prisoners. Join us as we welcome John Miles and learn more about the privateering career of North Carolina’s Otway Burns. 

The presentation is part of the museum’s Salty Dawgs Lecture Series, which features presentations on North Carolina maritime history and culture. The series, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required. Call 252-986-0723 for more information.