High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Throughout history during times of war where naval engagements were frequent, many battles were fought that often resulted in the capture of enemy ships or those of a neutral country. If a ship proved to be a valuable prize efforts would sometimes be made to capture the vessel with inflicting the least amount of damage as was practically possible. Both military and merchant ships were captured and were often renamed and used in the service of the capturing country`s navy or in some other utility capacity for that ship`s country. As an incentive to search far and wide for enemy ships cargoes on board these vessels were often divided up and awarded to the capturing crew members. Private ships were also authorized by a given country through a Letter of marque to engage and capture the various ships that were deemed unfriendly to that country.