Threedecks Forum

With regards to your last post, I can't see any reason for them giving false names although the person recording them may not have been able to spell there names correctly. False names are more common in those that are running from the the law, debtors, women [attempting to be with their lovers] and...

Further to my last post: In exceptional circumstances merchant vessels could be offered a pennant to fly exempting them from having their crew pressed.

British and neutral vessels were often boarded by press gangs to impress experienced seamen or detain deserters. this is especially true of vessels returning to the UK, when it was considered that they could safely get into port with half the crew [i.e. one watch] when both watches would have been r...

Naval Chronology: Or, An Historical Summary of Naval & Maritime ..., Volume 4
By Isaac Schomberg has an appendix that lists some fleets and stations with the vessels under their command, if that is of any help