Agreed that the Navy was run on somewhat draconion lines with no singing or such allowed during the normal working day, but the silent service does refer to the submarine branch only. You may already be aware of this book, but there is available a title called the wooden world by N.A.M. Rodger , it dispells many of the popular myths about the RN during the Napoleonic period but it also shows what a hard uncomprimising life it was.

Sledge (ex RN, ex Submariner)