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History has given us many famous cross-dressers,including such notables as J Edgar Hoover and the legendary Pope Joan, butduring the 18th and early 19th century there developed an English tradition for“female sailors” some of whom became legends in their own lifetime.

The most famous was Hannah Snell (1723–1791) who, in1745, escaped a troubled marriage by dressing in her brother-in-law’s suit andrunning away. A few days later, she was approached on the streets by arecruitment officer who mistook her for a man. In no time, Hannah was servingas “James Gray”, a Marine onboard HMS Swallow.

Hannah found it easy to pass herself off as a youngman, although her ability to cook, clean and stitch led to her being called “themost handy boy”.