The 'Benjamin Franklin' began her very successful career as a privateer under Captain J Ingersoll in July 1812; and in the American war of 1812-15 this schooner was responsible for the capture or destruction of a large number of British merchantmen. She mounted 8 guns, was crewed by 120 men, and operated out of New York. Commencing her maiden mission on 24 July 1812, she took seven prizes and twenty-eight prisoners before returning exactly one month later. See Bud Hannings, “The War of 1812: A Complete Chronology…” (McFarland, 2012), p.41, for specifics.

The vessel is shown in port-broadside view, under full sail, set against a horizon punctuated with small hilly coastlines, perhaps denoting an island group. Behind her to left, one such ‘island’ includes a hill fort, neatly framed by the vessel’s bowsprit, flying an (illegible) flag. Behind her to right, another, three-masted ship, is depicted in the distance. ‘Benjamin Franklin’ flies an American flag at her gaff, with fifteen stars and – arguably, if one accepts there are thin red stripes painted at top and bottom – fifteen stripes, which is correct for the period 1795-1818.