Capture of the French privateer L’Indomptable

On 13th September 1745, the crew of HMS Lizard captured the French privateer L'Indomptable and subsequently hired Richard Drakeford as their prize agent.

The documents created and used by Drakeford relating to the capture of this vessel illustrate the process by which a naval prize was dealt with.

The captured ship was declared by the High Court of Admiralty of England to be a good and lawful prize. A letter of attorney was sent from the officers of the victorious ship to the Court specifying who they had chosen to represent them as their prize agent. The Court then stated that the ship must be delivered into the hands of the nominated prize agent for the use of the ship's officers.

The prize agent arranged the sale of the ship and then distributed the money to the crew.

(© Staffordshire Record Office: D1798/HM Drakeford/12a)