Bilboes

Found on HMS Victory at the Historic Dockyard Portsmouth, this simple device was used to restrain men who were drunk, physically abusive, or awaiting punishment. Such men were not locked up in prison cells, as commonly believed, as no prisons were fitted within naval vessels. The idea of locking up offenders in cells is a Victorian concept and was introduced into the navy later.

Victory's records show that the ship was fitted with 2 sets of bilboe bolts (iron bars) each with 9 sliding shackles (leg irons) for the prisoners' ankles.

Very tempting to make use of them with children around.

(Back blipped 11th June 2012)