The Historical Maritime Society

Nelson and His Navy - Lunacy on SHip

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It is often reported that the relatively high incidence of lunacy within the Royal Navy was due to the men continually knocking their heads on the low beams between decks especially when intoxicated. The ratio, according to Blane (an eminent naval surgeon),was one madman for every 1,000 seamen, an increase of sevenfold over the civilian population.

Perhaps rather more surprisingly we find that the Navy cared for its lunatics in its own mental hospital at Hoxton in London. In 1813, for example there were 140 inmates listed with a fair spread across the social spectrum. 1 Captain, 4 Lieutenants, 3 Lieutenants of Marines, 1 Surgeon and an assistant, 2 Carpenters, 1 Gunner, 1 Master's Mate and a Midshipman were incarcerated there, the rest being seamen. This would suggest that the level of insanity was greater among the officers than men although this cannot really be supported as the officers relatives may have had greater influence as to their treatment or that medical authorities were more inclined to perservere with them. Some men were discharged cured, or into the care of their relations and some died while in hospital. The great reformers of mental institutions had barely begun their work at this time and the majority were therefore discharged into the living hell of the Bethlehem Hospital or Bedlam as it was better known.