Press Gangs

[JohnnyTarr]

Now I have been reading about Press Gangs. I can guess that the gangs just grabed some available guys. My question is what ages would they go for? Also I read that they were determened fit for service. Just how would they decide that? What would be your job on board for such a service? I mean what would you even wear? You would just have the clothes on your back.

[Fox]

Short Answer:

In theory only "seamen" could be pressed, not landsmen. How "seaman" was defined is a matter for debate, we occasionally hear of watermen and river bargemen being pressed. At a living history a few years back someone resisted the press on the grounds they were not a seaman until I pointed out that they were wearing petticoat breeches. Then someone else tried to resist on the same grounds so my father asked if he tied his own shoe laces, on the affirmative reply he said "Right, if you can tie knots you're a seaman, fall in."

What would they wear? Do a search for "slop clothing", it was there for pressed seamen.

Also, don't fall into the trap of thinking that the press always went around knocking people on the head. Often a town or borough was required to provide a certain number of seamen, and the local authority simply informed the said seamen that they were now in the navy, refusal to make their way to the ship was a criminal offence so often they did. Frequently they were given an allowance of cash to support themselves while they made the journey. This was also called pressing.

[JohnnyTarr]

Ok that starts me out. I think that I might have a good personality for myself.

[Red Dog]

It sounds like a nautical term for "conscription"

[Captain Jim]

So Johnny Tarr old chap, are you the presser or the pressee?