Crews and passengers were flung ashore without food or clothing, were abused, insulted, or perhaps impressed in British privateers.

The ships were lost to their owners.
There was no appeal and no redress.

At Martinique an English fleet and army captured St.Pierre in February, 1794.

Files of marines boarded every American ship in the harbor, tore down the colors, and flung two hundred and fifty seamen into the foul holds of a prison hulk.

There they were kept, half-dead with thirst and hunger while their vessels, uncared for, had stranded or sunk at their moorings.