Press-gangs were groups of
men in the 18th and 19th centuries working under a British
Royal Navy officer who forced men to join the navy, with or without their
consent. They took "eligible men of seafaring habits between the ages of
18 and 45 years”. The press-gangs particularly searched coastal towns and
villages for men who had experience in boats. Press-gangs were a very unpopular
part of life for those living in coastal areas including Scotland. While many men
were forcibly abducted others managed (for a while at least) to escape by
hiding in various places such as peat stacks, caves, and wilderness areas. Unpopular
though it was, impressment was repeatedly upheld by the courts, as it was
deemed vital to the strength of the navy and, by extension, to the survival of
the realm. When living conditions were particularly bad in Scotland more young
men volunteered for naval service where they were at least unlikely to starve. Impressment came to an end with the defeat of Napoleon in 1814.
One branch of the Gunn family who had lived in the Langwell
area had their brushes with the press-gangs and in this story written by Alexander Gunn (aka 'Badbea' and 'A.G.') the press-gang
had a brush with the woman of the house.
Transcription
Similar amplifications to that of "Badbea" came from "A.G." thus :-
Similar amplifications to that of "Badbea" came from "A.G." thus :-
'We were of
the Cattag Gunns, where my great-great-grandfather lived. My great-grandfather,
George Gunn, married a daughter of Sutherland of Langwell, and became his cattleman.
He lived at Borgue of Langwell, a cosy nook on the south side of the Langwell
River, where the ruins of his house are still visible. The furrows and rigs are
also plainly to be seen. He lost his life at the age of 48 at Berriedale Head
while trying to secure a sheep that had got fixed on the rocks. He had two sons, Robert and John, the latter being my grandfather. He never lived at Helmsdale, but first at Ousdale, then at Auchencraig and last at Badbea.
He was very much sought after by the press-gang, and had
many a hairbreadth escape from them. Once the press-gang came at night, and
forced their way into the house. The family were asleep. John seized his
clothes, did not wait to put them on but carried them in his arms, passed
through the kitchen in the dark before his pursuers could light their lamp, and
got clear away.
One of the officers of the party conducted himself in an
insolent manner at losing his quarry, which upset my grandmother, a tall strong
woman. She seized his sword, wrenched it from his grasp and broke it across her
knee. My grandfather was very swift. On one occasion, after eluding the grasp
of his pursuers, he crossed the Auchencraig burn and called out to his pursuers
if they had found the person they wanted. He was forced to enlist and became
body servant to Captain Gray who he accompanied to Orkney. Many a story I have heard him relate of his
adventures whilst serving with Captain Grey who had great regard for him. My
grandmother lived to the age of 93.
Source: clangunn1.blogspot.com
In an additional detail Alexander Gunn says: The Captain was sent to Orkney in course of time and my grandfather of course accompanied him. On one occasion he happened to get into some scrape or other and was likely to be taken. He was pursued so hard that he rushed into the Captain's bedroom. The Captain was in bed.. And he sprang into the bed, going over his master to the back of the bed, where he was safe, the Captain daring his pursuers to lay a finger on him
An Orkney press-gang document reads:
By the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Lord
High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, etc. and of
all His Majesty’s Plantations, etc.
In Pursuance of His majesty’s Order in Council, dated the
twentieth Day of April, 1803, We do hereby Impower and Direct you to Impress,
or cause to be Impressed, so many Seamen, Seafaring men, and Persons whose
occupations and Callings are to work in Vessels and Boats upon Rivers, as shall
be necessary either to man His Majesty’s Ships, giving unto each Man so
Impressed One Shilling for Prest money. And in the execution hereof, you are to
take care, that neither yourself nor any Officer authorized by you, do demand
or receive any Money, Gratuity, Reward, or other Consideration whatsoever, for
the Sparing, Exchanging, or Discharging, any Person or persons Impressed or to
be Impressed, as you will answer it at your peril. – You are not to intrust any
Person with the Execution of this Warrant but a Commission Officer, and to
insert his Name and office in the Deputation on the other Side hereof, and set
your Hand and Seal thereto. – This Warrant to continue in Force till the
thirty-first Day of December, 1803; And in the due Execution thereof, all
Mayors, Sheriffs justices of the Peace, bailiffs, Constables, Headboroughs, and
all His Majesty’s Officers and Subjects whom it may concern, are hereby
required to be aiding and assisting unto you, and those employed by you, as
they tender His majesty’s Service, and will answer the contrary at their
Perils. Given under our Hands, and the Seal of the Office of Admiralty, the
twenty-fifth Day of April, 1803.
Commander of His Majesty’s Sloop the Lynx. By Command of their Lordships
Source: http://orkneyarchive.blogspot.com
