This posts continues our extracts from the colourful diaries of David Talbot, impressed to HMS Calliope in December 1809. He had newly been appointed as master of the brig Isabella so legally he should not have been pressed but circumstances were against him and he spent four years on HMS Calliope off the Dutch shores. Part 1 described Talbot’s impressment at Tower Hill, London in December 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars after his appointment as master of the Isabella. Part 2 described Talbot’s recollections of daily life on board. As he had seafaring experience, he became captain of the forecastle and had charge of the cutter. His account shows how important rations and grog were to the crew and how lashings were meted out on a regular basis. Part 3 described three engagements, one off the coast of Holland and two river raids. This extract covers his desertion and escape. It is edited by Chris Davidson, David Talbot’s 3 x great grandson.
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