Firth of Forth. On 1 February, Popham went to Hastings with the proposals from the Lords of the Admiralty, for raising a Corps of Sea Fencibles, to Man the batteries erected near Hastings and Pevensey Bay, for the defence of the Coast. Over 200 persons chiefly sailors, enrolled themselves for the Service. Britain's Sea Fencibles were duly formed on 14 May 1798 "for the protection of the coast, either on shore or afloat; comprising all fishermen and other persons occupied in the ports, and on the coast, who, from their occupations are to be unpressed." Their tasks were to defend the Martello towers along the British coastline, patrol and survey the beaches where a French invasion force might land, and to maintain a fleet of armed commercial vessels in order to capture enemy shipping and defend against invasion barges. Structure The Sea Fencibles were divided into 36 companies, with each company responsible for patrolling and defending a section of the coastline. Company command was vested in three Royal Navy captains and up to six Lieutenants per district. The district captains reported in turn to the Director of Sea Fencibles, an admiral. In 1803 this was Sir Edmund Nagle. A senior Sea Fencibles captain received £1 15s a day (equivalent to £ today), junior captains received £1 10s (equivalent to £ today), and Lieutenants 8s 6d (equivalent to £ today). Petty Officers received 2s 6d (equivalent to £ today) for each day they assembled, while Ordinary Seamen received 1 shilling and provisions (food and drink), or 2 shillings if no provisions were available (equivalent to £ and £ today). Sea Fencibles were also eligible to receive prize and salvage money. For example, on 13 June 1805 the sixth-rate frigate and the Sea Fencibles recaptured the Industry, off Hastings, and shared the subsequent salvage money. Sea Fencible volunteers were trained in the use of arms and were required to man watch and signal towers, and fixed and floating batteries along the coasts and ports. Those who operated commercial vessels, for example local fishermen, received up to four cannons per craft and training in their maintenance and use. The Admiralty commissioned a small number of armed vessels for use in districts where there were insufficient private craft to meet a Sea Fencible company's needs. A member of the Sea Fencibles would spend one day a week training. They were also allowed to choose