Landsman Hay, Seafarers' Voices

A Royal Navy sailor recounts his adventuresome life at sea in this colorful memoir offering a rare look at early nineteenth century naval life.

In 1803, at the age of fourteen, Robert Hay ran away from home to join the Royal Navy. For the next eight years, he experienced the trials and tribulations of a sailor’s life. Intelligent and capable, he served a series of officers, all of whom helped advance his education. Yet he found the taxing conditions of life onboard detestable. He was even tempted to desert his post after an action off the French coast.

Hay was posted to the East Indies for five eventful years, and was badly wounded before returning home. His next ship ran aground off Plymouth and, this time, he took the opportunity to desert—but was then quickly taken by a press gang. Terrified of being identified, he managed to escape to Scotland and home.

Told with humor and verve, Hay’s memoir offers an impressive description of early nineteenth-century naval life. Colorful stories of drink and debauchery come side by side with keep observations on nature and humanity.