Appendix 2 - Pressgang Instructions

Summary

A copy of instructions to officers employed in the impress service; no date, but eighteenth century hand (source: WLP):

By the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland, &c, &c, &c, -Instructions to Lieutenants of His Majesty's ships appointed to impress &c for the service of His Majesty's Fleet

Ist Whereas you will receive herewith a warrant empowering you to impress seamen for the service of His Majesty's Fleet, you are hereby strictly required and directed, carefully and diligently to attend the said service, and in the execution thereof to observe the following instructions, &c, &c.

You are to keep the said warrant in your own Custody & execute the same personally and never entrust it in the charge of any other.

II You are not to impress any Landmen, but only seamen and seafaring men, or such as are directed in the Impress warrants, and of these only such as are able and fit for his Majesty's Service, and not to take up boys or infirm persons, in order to magnify the number upon your accounts & bring on unnecessary charge upon his Majesty.

III You are not to impress any Boatswains, Carpenters, or First Mates, belonging to Merchant ships of Fifty Tons and upwards, or any Masters of small vessels.

IIII You are not to impress any whose names are entered in a Protection signed by us, though not exactly described provided they are actually in the ship or on the service for which they are protected, but if there are more seamen in the ship than the Protection is granted for, you are to impress those who are supernumerary, but not those who are duly protected in the said number.

V You are not to impress any men who are protected under the Hands of Three or more of the Commissioners of the Navy, or Victualling, or of the principal Officers of the Ordnance & the Seal of these respective offices, provided they are actually employed in the service of these offices.