No, indeed; from C19, when it caught on in the merchant service, whaling fleets, &c, shanty singing, according to all authorities I have read, was forbidden in the Royal Navy, the necessary work rhythms being provided by drum and fife, or perhaps fiddle, rather than by a solo singer; and the hauling crew were encouraged to use their breath for the task rather than for singing. Probably poor psychology, as the act of singing as one works is generally regarded as an encouragement to effort; but it was probably felt by Their Lordships Of The Admiralty that a singing crew would not redound to the credit of Naval smartness.

~Michael~