HMS Revenge (1741) was a privateering vessel commissioned by Governor of Rhode Island, Richard Ward in 1741. In his Letter of Marque, Ward names Benjamin Norton as captain, commanding him to commandeer any Spanish ship he may come across. Throughout the sloop's five month cruise, Norton kept a detailed journal of the ship's daily encounters. The ship was set to sail down the East Coast of the colonies to the Caribbean, and stop any Spanish ships from delivering supplies, or taking supplies.
The story of Revenge, and the surviving documents, are a huge insight into colonial privateering. These men operated under the laws of the crown, while being able to legally capture cargo, slaves, and boats.