v. The act of forced conscription into the
British navy. Used most commonly in the 19th century, as a means of crewing warships. Also known as "impressment", it was a royally sanctioned activity that started with King Edward I.
Since most men were reluctant to join the navy due to low pay and the requirement of lifetime service, groups of 'press-gangs' would go around pubs on the coast of Britain, kidnapping men and forcing them into lifetime service. Anyone found in possession of the "
King's shilling" was thought to be a
loyal subject, and thus a candidate for the royal navy.
The press-gangs would travel to various pubs, and drop shillings into the
beer mugs of hapless victims. When the victim got to the
bottom of their
beer, they would find the
king's shilling, and the press-gang waiting for them outside to drag them off. Fancier pubs invented the glass bottomed beer mug so that their patrons could see if there was a
king's shilling in the
bottom, and refuse the drink.
Press-ganging was one of the factors leading to the war of 1812. Press gangs would land on the coast of America and would "accidentally" press-gang American civilians into navy service. Over 6000 American men were kidnapped in this manner in the early 1800s.
