Near the end of a voyage, an unscrupulous merchant captain could warn that a naval vessel was approaching to impress the crew. Sailors afraid of the press might abandon ship to get ashore. The captain could exploit that fear once the vessel was close to shore under reduced sail, when fewer men could handle the remaining passage. Merchant wages depended on completing the voyage, so sailors who left early could be denied their pay. Fear of naval coercion could therefore allow a merchant employer to avoid paying part of his crew.
Notable Point · 28:08-29:06
Some merchant captains exploited fear of the press
A warning that a press vessel was approaching could induce sailors to abandon ship near shore and let an unscrupulous merchant captain deny them wages for an incomplete voyage.