 "The Ouzel Galley" does draw on earlier accounts of the ship, but it is as much a flight of fancy as it is an historical novel.In 1705 the panel of merchants which had arbitrated in the case of the "Ouzel Galley" was formally established as a permanent arbitration body to deal with similar shipping disputes that might arise.It was hoped that the new body could resolve such disputes without having recourse to the courts, which would have resulted in excessive legal fees.