What is impressment?
Q: What is impressment?
A: Impressment is the act of forcing men to serve in the navy.
Q: Who were the people that were usually "pressed" to join the navy?
A: The people who were usually "pressed" to join the navy were young men.
Q: Who led the press gang and forced men onto warships?
A: A naval officer would lead the press gang and force men onto warships.
Q: Did families of those that were "pressed" know where they were taken?
A: No, their families seldom knew where they had been taken.
Q: When was impressment a normal practice in the Royal Navy?
A: Impressment was a normal practice in the Royal Navy during the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries.
Q: Did many people think impressment should be stopped?
A: Yes, many people said that impressment should be stopped.
Q: When did the Navy stop impressing sailors?
A: After the Napoleonic Wars, the need for sailors was less and the Navy stopped impressing them.
