Naval: Bosuns’ Starter/Cosh
An early 19th century Bosun's Persuader, cosh with weighted strung ends. Bosuns’ starter, or cosh, and was used by ships’ bosuns to hit (or start) slow or lazy sailors, making them work faster. These instruments are also sometimes ironically called ‘persuaders’. They represent the often brutal world of the Georgian Royal Navy. Ships’ bosuns supervised the crew in sailing the vessel and maintaining the ropes, rigging, boats, anchors and stores on board. Clearly this was a role that required very strict discipline, hence this type of instrument commonly used to keep the crew on their toes. Later in the19th century, brutal punishments on board Royal Navy ships began to be frowned upon by society and these types of cruel instruments, along with the notorious punishment of flogging, became less common. length 28cm.
Price: £150