What is "pressgangs"

Usage examples of "pressgangs".

To men used to green fields or town slums, to the crowded world of between decks, or those snatched from their loved ones by the impartial pressgangs, it would seem like another planet.

Obviously of military age, especially now as military age descended with each day, but the pressgangs seemed to have avoided this area.

There are far too many folk with pieces of paper to shake in the faces of the pressgangs, prime seamen we could well do with.

Men who had sailed with him before, prime seamen who by means known to themselves alone had eluded the pressgangs and the crimps, turned up grinning, often bringing a couple of friends, and expecting their names and former ratings to be remembered - rarely expecting in vain.