Press gangs affected Fishermen and Gypsies in 1815 Scotland

Please note that I use the word Gypsy in this article to acknowledge their assignment as an actual demographic category in the UK. Which unfortunately didn’t happen until 2011. Along with additional changes in 2021.

On the whole, the early 19th century was a tumultuous time in Scotland. It was marked by the end of the Napoleonic Wars and significant social and economic changes. Among the many stories from this period, those related to the lives of fishermen, gypsies, and the dreaded press gangs stand out. In this blog post, we will explore the unique experiences of these groups. With a focus on 1815 Scotland, and how their lives intertwined in the face of adversity.

The Fishermen

To illustrate this, fishing was a vital industry in 19th-century Scotland. Providing sustenance and employment for many coastal communities. Fishermen faced the harsh realities of the sea, braving dangerous conditions to bring in their catch.

The fisherfolk were known for their resilience and strong sense of community. They relied on each other for support, whether it was mending nets, preparing bait, or sharing the day’s catch. The women played a crucial role in this industry; often working alongside the men and managing the household in their absence.¹

The Gypsies

Without a doubt, gypsies is a term that does not capture the diversity of different traditions. Gypsies have a long and complex history in Scotland and the UK. By 1815, they had been present in the country for several centuries, often living on the fringes of society. They were known for their nomadic lifestyle, traveling from place to place in search of work and opportunities².

Unfortunately, such people faced significant prejudice and discrimination, often being viewed with suspicion and mistrust by the settled population. Despite these challenges, they maintained a rich cultural heritage, with their own language, traditions, and customs. Their skills in various trades, such as metalworking, horse trading, and fortune-telling, made them valuable members of the communities they interacted with².

The Press Gangs

The press gangs were a notorious aspect of life in early 19th-century Scotland. These groups, sanctioned by the Royal Navy, were tasked with forcibly recruiting men into naval service. Although, some voluntarily entered paid service also. The practice of impressment, as it was known, was a legal but highly unpopular method of bolstering the navy’s ranks during times of war³.

Press gangs would often target coastal communities. Basically, there they could find experienced seamen and fishermen. They used various tactics to capture their victims. From outright kidnapping to more subtle methods like plying men with alcohol, and tricking them into “volunteering” for service. The fear of being pressed into service was a constant threat for many men, leading some to go into hiding or flee their homes³.

The Intersection of Fishermen, Gypsies, and Press Gangs

Fishermen, with their valuable seafaring skills, were prime targets for press gangs. They could be abducted whilst at sea. The constant threat of impressment added to the already challenging lives of these coastal communities³.

Whereas Gypsies, with their nomadic lifestyle, were sometimes able to evade the press gangs more effectively than the settled population. However, they too faced the risk of being forcibly recruited. Especially, if they were found in coastal areas. The shared experience of living under the threat of impressment created a sense of solidarity between these two marginalized groups².

A fascinating glimpse into history

In summary, the stories of fishermen, gypsies, and press gangs in 1815 Scotland offer a fascinating glimpse into a turbulent period of history. These groups, had their own unique challenges and experiences. They navigated a world marked by uncertainty and change. Their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity continue to inspire and captivate us today.

¹: VisitScotland ²: Claire Gebben ³: Historic UK

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Creating A Gypsy’s Curse

After chatting about the book and going over the idea of having Mairead and Lachland in a boat on the cover. O began to draw and sent me this amazing preview.

Then she got out her paints and produced the first colour draft, well we made a few tweaks with Mairead’s dress, and this was the final colour.

Time to make it into a book cover!

Voila! Now you have to meet the artist cause she did such an amazing job.

Oeindrilla A Gypsy’s Curse Illustrator

This is O. Oeindrilla is a graphic designer and illustrator based out of India. Her style revolves around blending different media, integrating elements to create visually stunning compositions. Print media, Wes Anderson films and anything whimsical are some of her inspirations. You can find her on Instagram at oeindrilla.cmyk

She has the heart of an artist.

Here’s the final book info. for A Gypsy’s Curse

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Book research is the name of this article. Based on the initial research I have done into the lives of gypsies in the UK and fisherfolk in Auchmithie, to get a sense of their lives and challenges, I have begun to draft my early scenes in my new noval (The Fisherwomen of Auchmithie). I can’t wait till the museums reopen to visit the local area and the Lighthouse Museum again. Thanks to the website Auchmithie Roots, and their historians, I found mention of Auchmithie in The Country of Scott. Including the following description of the inside of one of the fisherman’s cottages.

He let me take a photograph of the interior of the cottage, where a single room served for bedroom, breakfast-room, kitchen, and numerous other purposes. (p.157)

So not adding much information to what I had already guessed or discovered, though I’d love to chat to an expert in working-class women’s lives in the early 1800s. The text also mentions policemen referred to as constables and ‘a picturesque old fishwife’:

A picturesque old fishwife, carrying two large empty pails in each hand, came out of her house, all unconscious of the awful presence of a loaded camera and I quickly stepped out and pressed the bulb. ‘That’s Coffee Betz you got then,’ laughed the constable. ‘She wouldn’t let you take her picture, but she’s one of the Cargills.’

The ethics of snapping shots without permission aside, the last quote I came across about wives managing the family money (silver) is cited in this book too and the phrase ‘Them that sell the goods guide the purse – them that guide the purse rule the house’ (p.158).

Historical context

And there is some useful historical context of the French-British conflicts in the early 19th century (1800s) relevant for life in Auchmithie:-

the people of England and Scotland were kept in a state of nervous dread by the expectation of an invasion by the French. Beacons were erected all along the coast ready to give instant alarm, and militia organizations were everywhere kept in a state of readiness. (p.158).

Relevant for a fishy context too; though perhaps only interesting to me … For instance, there’s a mention of bannock-fluke and cock-paddle in the book, which some additional research revealed are turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) which is great to know as my main characters include fishermen and women.

What’s next?

There is plenty more writing and research to go. So for now, I’ll concentrate on the writing side, building my characters and making notes on the side about facts to check. These are but little details to weave into the narrative as I try to capture the lives of the people living back then on the east coast of Scotland. 

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On conducting research for my current book The Fisherwomen of Auchmithie, it’s been tough going finding information on the lives of fisherfolk in the 19th century. I began to read The Antiquary (Walter Scott), as cited on some websites. However, there’s but one description of the inside of a fisherman’s cottage. So from his descriptions I have learnt about the humble Scottish fisherman’s cottage that:

·      * there is a fireplace/hearth inside (possibly coal lit, but this was from other description in another class of housing so might be incorrect) which is for heat, light and cooking;

·     * wooden trenchers are used to prepare food;

·     * which is fried, broiled and smoked fish, plus bannocks (Scottish cake made from oatmeal) and car-cakes (crumpets);

·      * mugs of beer (other sources mention ale);

·      * grandmother is found by the fire in a chair spinning wool (spindle and distaff method);

·     * the door of the cottage closes with a latch.

Yet here is some nice commentary on the importance of the fisherwives taking care of the home when the men were fishing up and down the coast which I had read via other sources.

fisher-wives ken better – they keep the man and keep the house, and keep the siller [silver] too

As soon as the boat touches the sand, the fishermen work, but the wives take the fish ashore, carry the fish in creeils to the next town and sell them.

As sune as the keel o’ the coble touches  the sand, deil a bit mair will the lazy fisher loons work, but the wives maun kilt their coats, and wade into the surf to tak the fish ashore. And then the man casts aff the wat [wet] and puts on the dry, and sits down wi’ his pipe and his gill-stoup ahint the ingle, like any auld houdie, […] the wife, she maun get the scull [creel] on her back, and awa wi’ the fish to the next burrows-town, and scauld and ban wi’ther till it’s sauld [sold]

I have provided some translations for those unfamiliar with the Scots language. I hope this brief post is helpful.

The book wasn’t easy to read, as it rambled, emphasising the importance of the upper classes in my opinion. While I thought this would be a book about the working class, hardworking folk. I have read plenty of nineteenth century literature that is more readable. So unsure now why he is so famous an author. Sometimes we just don’t get into a piece of work, when others might love it. So feel disapointed not to have gotten into the book. And that it wasn’t more useful for contextual information I was searching for.

Who is Emma Parfitt?

Emma Parfitt is a proofreader with 18 years of writing experience with businesses, academics and creative writers. She obtained a Creative Writing MA (St Andrews University) and a PhD in Storytelling (Warwick University). Then set up her own proofreading business and became a published author of fiction, for example, A Friendship of Thistles as well as academic literature such as Young People, Learning & Storytelling (Palgrave Macmillan).

Get in touch!

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