Published in 1828, Andrew Sherburne’s Memoirs of Andrew Sherburne; a Pensioner of the Navy of the Revolution, Written by Himself captures the author’s youthful enthusiasm for participating in naval campaigns against the British during the Revolutionary War. Patriot military leaders during the Revolution faced an enormous challenge at the start of the conflict, since they lacked a professional army or navy. They used the existing American militia system to provide the bulk of the Continental army and turned to privateers to serve as a fledgling navy. Privateers were licensed private ships, often merchant vessels, that were authorized by the state to attack enemy warships and commercial vessels. Those who served aboard the ships were also called privateers. European powers had long used privateers to supplement their regular navies, but the American colonies relied exclusively on them to harass the much-larger British navy. Sherburne’s account provides a window into life aboard a privateer. It testifies to the strong anti-British sentiment and patriotism that compelled eager young men like Sherburne to enlist as freelance fighters against the British.