Edwardrushton.org.uk celebrates the life of the Liverpool poet who, at the age of 19, was blinded helping slaves. Founder of the School for the Blind, Rushton’s world was one of press gangs, revolution and oppression.
One of the first people to look afresh at Edward Rushton’s life was the late Bill Hunter. Bill wrote Forgotten Hero in 2002, and you can listen to a recording of it on the website, in instalments.
This week is Track 12. The Pressgangs. The Pressgang scoured ports to seize men as recruits for the British Navy. Voluntary recruiting was inadequate owing to the notorious conditions on board royal ships.