I removed rather implausible claims about "only two instances [of press gang] in British history" - the practice of impressment ("press-gang" was just an informal name for the Impressment Service "recruiting" party) was widespread from mid 17th century to 1814 (and though abandonned in practice, formally reaffirmed as late as 1835), according to the other Wiki.
I also corrected the claim that impressment was limited (only) to homeward-bound British merchantmen, which sounded a bit misleading - the Impressment Service existed also on the shore, and pressing of sailors from British ports was, by its very nature, more regular source of pressed men than from ships on high seas.
I removed rather implausible claims about "only two instances [of press gang] in British history" - the practice of impressment ("press-gang" was just an informal name for the Impressment Service "recruiting" party) was widespread from mid 17th century to 1814 (and though abandonned in practice, formally reaffirmed as late as 1835), according to the other Wiki
.
I also corrected the claim that impressment was limited (only) to homeward-bound British merchantmen, which sounded a bit misleading - the Impressment Service existed also on the shore, and pressing of sailors from British ports was, by its very nature, more regular source of pressed men than from ships on high seas.
Edited by isolato