When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, it was customary to hold prisoners of war and hang traitors. The most infamous was HMS Jersey.br According to one prisoner, conditions aboard the ship ran the gamut from overcrowding to rat infested, corpse ridden, and disease rampant imprisonment.br br Twitter: Tip Jar: br Sourcesbr The life and adventures of Christopher Hawkins, a prisoner on board the 'Old Jersey' prison ship during the War of the Revolution by Christopher Hawkinsbr br The horrors of the English prison ships, 1776 to 1783, and the barbarous treatment of the American patriots imprisoned on them by Patrick J.