maritime web site. The superstitution about women and ships is an old one, and women rarely were allowed to live on a British ship prior to 1700. However, during the time period of "Persuasion," the rules were being relaxed greatly. Admiral Nelson was a leader in the cause of allowing women to accompany their men on board -- it wasn't a perk just for officers. By the 1820s it was a fairly common practice, although it was not accepted everywhere. So, CW would in on the beginning of the relaxation of the rules against women on board -- maybe he was just one of the traditionalists.