A shilling hidden in a drink could be invoked as proof that a sailor had taken the King's shilling. In a known naval recruiting pub, free drinks, drums, and recruiting talk would already make the party's purpose apparent. Intoxication could leave a man unable to judge his actions, and unscrupulous recruiters may have slipped coins into unsuspecting men's drinks. The argument that most sailors understood the situation rests partly on assumptions about beer strength and drinkers' familiarity with alcohol. Such abuses are presented as exceptions within a system that sought experienced sailors. The Admiralty disliked the political scandal caused by abusive pressing even when emergencies led it to use impressment. Regulations and formal procedures governed the press, and lieutenants who created serious problems could lose their appointments. These controls did not prevent every abuse, but they help explain the argument that the most dramatic stories misrepresent ordinary recruiting practice.
Chapter · 21:02-24:14
The King's shilling and limits on recruiting abuse
Recruiting pubs advertised their purpose, while regulations and the risk of scandal discouraged abuse. The shilling-in-the-glass story still leaves room for misconduct and impaired consent.