Published in Warships IFR magazine in May 2010.

“The Andrew” is the seamens’ name for the Royal Navy, from Andrew Miller, a Chief Petty Officer in charge of a press gang in the 18c, who was so keen he was suspected of owning the RN.

Although captured in a press many sailors then actually volunteered, in order to recieve the bounty, or King’s Shilling, and so were entered as volunteers, which had less stigma than being pressed.

Press gangs were the active bodies seeking additional crew for ships in time of hostilities, their proper name being The Imprest Service.  Mostly, the Imprest Service organised recruitment through local authorities and magistrates, etc.