Many ships were named "Bellona," after the Roman goddess of war. This model possibly portrays a French privateer that was captured in 1795 by a British ship, also named "Bellona." Privateers were privately owned vessels commissioned by governments to attack enemy merchant vessels in times of war. So-called "letters of marque" were issued to the owners of privateers, licensing them to take prizes, such as enemy vessels and their cargoes. The owner of the privateer and the licensing government usually shared the prize.

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