Remember too that the navy only really pressed seamen. They were not kidnapping landmen onto ships. They were after skilled people. A person who had completed a voyage or two was a valuable asset, as opposed to a farmer who would be far more of a liability onboard a navy ship.

And for all the horrors described about life in the royal navy, it was often far better than life in the country. You got food. You were a member of a crew with rights and privileges. A laborer in farm country, or in a mine, was much worse off.