Speaking of Pyrates, the Conchy Royal Navy:

The Methodist Blue Lights did not share this thread's high opinion of Royal Navy crews. Many merchant sailors, world over, considered the RN a form of slavery. So much so it (impressment) was an issue in the Yank's 1776 Revolutionary War and was still a major sticking point for them three decades later in 1812.

Bahamians didn't care much for the service either at the time according to my family lore. The Royal Navy's Bermuda sloops &c were notoriously undermanned until the huge draw down at the close of the Napoleonic Wars.

From there to the advent of steam (c.1820-1850, Smyth's time in) it was a very different story indeed and more reflective of what one reads here. The idea that it was always so is the invented part of the shanty ban tradition.