Press gangs were the scourge Portsmouth streets when these gangs of harsh men swept the town and scooped up any able bodied man who crossed their path regardless of marital status, dependants, home location or employment. One particularly 'hot press' occurred on 23 September 1803 when 'no protestations were listened to, and a vast number of persons were sent on board the different ships in this port ' (Portsmouth).
Sometimes even underhand methods were used. For example, a Capt Bowen made a spectacle of marching a party of marines ostenstibly to quell a riot and, when a crowd gathered to see the fun, turned on them to round up all the fit men.
Sometimes even underhand methods were used. For example, a Capt Bowen made a spectacle of marching a party of marines ostenstibly to quell a riot and, when a crowd gathered to see the fun, turned on them to round up all the fit men.
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