No.463

A rather interesting whale tooth depicting a press gang incident from 1798. The legends read '1758 HMS NONSUCH & REDOUBT attempted to press the crew of Hull Whaleship BLENHEIM north Bank River Humber'.

Our research suggests this incident may well have been 1797/8 when the homeward bound Greenland whaler 'Blenheim' was entering Hull harbour. Here HMS Nonsuch, Nautilus and Redoubt were waiting to press gang the crew into Her Majestys service. The Navy ships fired shots to signal the Blenheim to 'come to' but as the naval boats approached with the intention of boarding the Blenheim crew pelted them with spears and handspikes. The naval ships withdrew but a few crew of Nonsuch were wounded. The Blenheim crew managed to escape into the waiting crowds of family ashore and absconded. The crew of out-bound merchantmen and whalers were generally exempt from the Press but the crew of returning vessels were not.

Measures 15cm x 5.5cm.