Thomas Boyle

Thomas Boyle (29 June 1775 – 12 October 1825), an Irish American, as a captain of the schooner Comet and the clipper Chasseur, was one of the most successful Baltimore privateers during the War of 1812. He briefly served in the United States Navy during the same war.

Born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, Boyle went to sea at 10 or 11 years of age. In 1794, he moved his base of operation to Baltimore, Maryland.

At age 17 he commanded several vessels for Baltimore French born merchant John Carrere, including Vigilant. In 1792, he commanded the schooner Hester, owned by Carrere. In April, 1808, he was appointed captain and commander of Baltimore's 51st. Regiment, but later resigned in order to take command of Comet.

Soon after the War of 1812 began, Boyle took command of the privateer Comet and during his first cruise—conducted in the West Indies between 11 July and 7 October 1812—captured four vessels with an aggregate value of $400,000. On his second cruise, he sailed along the Brazilian coast, departing Baltimore on 25 November 1812. Though he made five captures, his second voyage was a financial disaster because British cruisers retook all five prizes. On 17 March 1813, Boyle slipped past the British blockade into Chesapeake Bay. During the spring of 1813 the Royal Navy tightened its grip on the Chesapeake and blocked escape by Baltimore privateers. Comet and two other privateers were contracted by the Navy to patrol and observe British movements, and Boyle accepted a warrant as sailing master in the United States Navy on 16 April 1813. His brief Navy career lasted only until 8 September 1813 when he began to prepare Comet for her third voyage as a privateer. On 29 October 1813, he and his ship slipped through the blockade in heavy weather. During that cruise to the West Indies, Boyle and his crew captured 20 prizes before returning to the United States at Beaufort, North Carolina, on 19 March 1814.