A sudden declaration of war could leave a guard ship urgently needing men while carrying only about one-third of its wartime complement. Recruiting from incoming merchantmen could then become forceful and hurried, with sailors taken aboard before their accounts were settled. The purser was supposed to sign each man in, record his previous ship, and resolve the paperwork ashore afterward. The amount recovered could depend on the purser's competence and honesty. A sailor missing his money could complain through his divisional officer, a lieutenant, the first lieutenant, and ultimately the captain. The purser might plead a shortage of ready cash or delays in entering the accounts. Money still owed was supposed to be added to naval pay, which was paid six months in arrears. Emergency coercion could therefore coexist with records and complaint procedures, without guaranteeing prompt or honest payment.
Notable Point · 30:03-31:55
Emergency manning left pursers responsible for sailors' unpaid wages
A shorthanded guard ship might take sailors first and settle accounts later. Pursers kept origin records, but their honesty and competence affected recovery of the wages owed.