Impressment facts for kids
Impressment (also called the Press) was a practice where men were forced to join the navy. It was a common way for countries, especially Great Britain, to get sailors for their warships. These men were often young and were taken by groups called "press gangs." Once forced into service, their families usually had no idea where they had gone.
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What Was Impressment?
Impressment meant that a naval officer would lead a group called a press gang. This group would find men, often in port towns, and force them to become sailors. They would make these men serve on large ships called warships. This was done even if the men did not want to join the navy.
The Royal Navy in Britain used impressment a lot during the 1600s, 1700s, and early 1800s. During times of war, like the Napoleonic Wars, navies needed many sailors very quickly. Impressment was seen as a fast way to get the large crews needed to defend the country. Many people thought it was wrong, but the navy believed it was necessary.
The End of Impressment
After the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815, the need for so many sailors became much less. Because of this, the Royal Navy slowly stopped using impressment. It was no longer a common way to find sailors for their ships.
Images for kids
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The Press-gang, an oil painting by Luke Clennell.
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Captain John Quilliam of the Royal Navy. Quilliam was forced into the Royal Navy in 1794. Unlike most impressed sailors, Quilliam quickly moved up in rank. By 1797, he was a midshipman. He served bravely at the Battle of Trafalgar as the first officer on HMS Victory. He later became a captain before leaving the Royal Navy in 1815.
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A cartoon from 1779 by James Gillray titled "The Liberty of the Subject."
See also
In Spanish: Leva para niños
