It is known that women did serve in ships in the age of sail. However, they are hardly ever mentioned in official records. Here is evidence to the contrary. Jane Townshend, applied for the Naval General Service Medal for Trafalgar in 1847. Her application based on her ‘useful services’ in HMS Defiance at the Battle of Trafalgar was supported by HMS Defiance's captain. However, eventually the application was turned down.

Catalogue reference: ADM 171/1