Debt protection could draw sailors toward naval recruiting parties

Joining the Navy could protect a sailor from creditors pursuing debts incurred before enlistment. Crown service placed him beyond their reach and prevented imprisonment for those debts under the protection described here. That gave indebted sailors a reason to seek a recruiting party voluntarily. Some disturbances classified as impressment riots may instead have involved men hired by debt collectors to stop debtors reaching the recruiters. Once a sailor signed into Crown service, the collectors would lose their ability to pursue payment. The identity of those starting a fight therefore matters when deciding whether a recruiting disturbance shows resistance to enlistment or an attempt to prevent it.