By 1800, Britain was at war with France and Spain, both of which had a significant naval and commercial maritime presence in the Americas.
Godfrey obtained a letter of marque to serve as a privateer for Britain, and put to sea in command of Rover, a 14-gun brig.
In 1800, while possibly in company with other vessels, Rover encountered and defeated three Spanish warships; in recognition of which Godfrey was offered a Royal Navy commission.
[1] Godfrey subsequently paid £850 to purchase one of the Spanish vessels when it was sold as a prize, then sailed it Halifax, Nova Scotia for resale at £1000.
His only child Ruth, who died of burns, is buried in Liverpool, Nova Scotia's historic cemetery.