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Prison hulks on the River Thames, Establishment of the prison hulks |
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| © National Maritime Museum, London |
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| Repro ID: PX8260 |
| Description: When the North American colonies declared their independence in 1776 and closed their ports to British convict ships, a crisis in the criminal justice system followed. This led to a policy of converting old merchant ships and naval vessels into floating prisons known as hulks, many of which were moored in the River Thames. |
| Creator: Unknown |
| Date: c. 1810 |
| Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London | |
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