Final answer:
Sailors deserted the British navy for American vessels to escape harsh conditions and the compulsory service often enforced by the British through impressment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The issue of British sailors deserting to American vessels stems primarily from the practices of the British Royal Navy during the early 19th century. The circumstances of the Napoleonic Wars had greatly strained the British navy, which needed to maintain superior forces against Napoleon. Thus, the British navy resorted to the practice of impressment, forcibly recruiting sailors into their service, including those from American ships. The working conditions and terms of service in the British navy were often harsh, which led many sailors to desert when they had the chance, seeking better prospects on American ships.
The situation escalated in 1807 with the Chesapeake-Leopard affair, where the HMS Leopard attacked the USS Chesapeake, an American military vessel. The British warship boarded the Chesapeake, and took four sailors, claiming they were deserters. This provocative act further fueled tensions between Britain and the United States, highlighting the British practice of impressment. It ultimately led President Thomas Jefferson to enact the Embargo Act of 1807, which attempted to halt American ships from trading until Britain and France stopped their hostile actions on the high seas.
Moreover, during periods such as the War of 1812, British naval actions and the blockade of American ports displayed their desperate need for manpower, often disregarding the official stance of the British government. Hence, many sailors found service on American vessels preferable, as it offered relative freedom and an escape from the life they faced within the Royal Navy.