Smuggling has been part of coastal life for centuries.
With thousands of miles of coastline around Britain and Ireland, some busy and well populated, others remote, isolated and inaccessible, it can be difficult for authorities to keep check on goods and people coming and going. For centuries, especially in remote coastal and country areas, smuggling was regarded as a “respectable” way of life and an acceptable means of getting the better of the government and perceived excessive taxation, whilst also blatantly challenging the law by providing what was desired and marketable more cheaply. Some aspects may have changed over centuries but smuggling still carries on. Persons, some outwardly highly respectable, some less so, and many often desperate, have resulted to becoming involved in smuggling various sorts of contraband to and from Britain, whilst not always realising the risks and dangers involved.
Romantic or brutal?
A popular historical image of smuggling is one of “romanticism”. Reality was rather different in that smuggling was, and is, brutal and aggressive, and led by vicious individuals often under the control of otherwise “respectable” entrepreneurs either in Britain or sometimes abroad. For many centuries, local fishermen and agriculture workers became “foot soldiers” for smuggling gangs and thus smuggling became lucrative for them despite the risks. However, on the other hand any person suspected of spying on or betraying the smugglers could meet with a swift and bloody end such was the violence it evoked. Those not directly involved were encouraged to “turn a blind eye” for their own safety – “Watch the wall my darling whilst the gentlemen go by” ( Rudyard Kipling “The Smuggler’s Song”).
Insurance against poverty and starvation
The poverty stricken agriculture worker or fisherman resorted to becoming a smuggler as an insurance against low wages, bad harvests and poor catches. They could earn more in one night than many week’s earnings from working the land or risking death at sea, and their local knowledge was invaluable. Goods which were landed on beaches were passed from one locally organised gang to the next locally organised gang across country to reach their main markets in inland towns and cities. Smuggling thrived when taxes on certain commodities and luxury goods were high or when items were desired but illegal and prohibited. The smuggled goods often increased in value as they travelled.
Not so civilised tea
In Saxon times and later centuries, wool and later Wealden iron was smuggled out of Britain under the noses of powerful, local landowners, who held the right to collect and levy tolls on behalf of the Crown. This aggrieved ordinary citizens and lead to avoidance which, in turn, meant smuggling to circumvent payments. Thus wool and iron goods formed “export” smuggling” to customers across Europe and beyond – the then Shahs of Persia even received smuggled Wealden iron for armaments. However, from the 17th century, smuggling concentrated on imported goods such as spirits, wine, tobacco, silk, lace and tea. By the mid 18th century, it was estimated that over 75% of the tea consumed in the UK had been smuggled. Tea drinking had become a fashionable practice from high society downwards and it is claimed that the Prince Regent’s staff at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton expected to have first pick of smuggled goods landed locally, especially tea. Even the staff at Goodwood House near Chichester were said to sell contraband tea at the back door. Whether the owner, the then current Duke of Richmond, who had publicly decried smuggling, knew what was happening “below stairs” at his country house is speculative.
Lighting the way for jenever
Smuggling persisted even throughout regular wars with France and there were well established contacts with agents on the continent, especially in the Low Countries from which gin was amongst regularly smuggled items. Boats carrying contraband would meet smaller, local boats off shore or they would come in closer if tides permitted. The contraband would then be dropped overboard in barrels or waterproof bundles to be collected as the tide receded (known as “tubbing”). Local farmers would be expected to “lend” their horses and ponies to transport the contraband inland. The horses and ponies would be found exhausted the next morning but there would be a keg of spirits in the hedge for the farmer. Others would provide signs of “safe passage” – lighted candles in windows would indicate proceed, darkened windows warned that the excise men were about so scatter and lie low! Many country cottages especially in villages on “smuggling routes” have such windows high up under the eaves, where lights could be seen from some distance. Those not involved in smuggling were wise to ignore the trade, often passing nearby, for their own safety.
The long hand of the law
Yet those running the gangs often posed as respectable, even benevolent members of local society and were sometimes also in positions of influence including the law. In 1749, it was deemed necessary to send a judge from London to ensure impartiality at the famous Chichester trial concerning the murder of two men, possibly falsely accused of being informants, by associate members of the notorious Hawkhurst gang from Kent – it shows that smuggling tentacles reached far and wide! The judge needed extra guards to ensure his safety whilst in Chichester. All the seven defendants found guilty were, except for one who died in prison, subject to a public hanging attracting large crowds on Broyle Road, Chichester (a stone now marks the spot). Their bodies were then displayed in gibbets around the County as a deterrent, which, however, failed to curtail smuggling in Sussex.
Peace, law and order
Smuggling began to decline after the end of the Napoleonic wars. The nature of the coast changed as coastal health resorts, such as Worthing, seaside holidays and recreational sailing developed. Peace with France after 1815 also meant there were numerous redundant naval personnel seeking employment. Thus the Preventative Water Guard, the forerunner of the Coastguard Service, was set up. This vastly increased the number of personnel patrolling the coast and most were experienced seamen with fighting skills and fast boats operating from “blockade stations”. These were often redundant Martello towers and later many developed into coastguard stations. Thus the fight against smuggling became less one sided and prevention more successful.
In 1841, Robert Peel became Prime Minister. He developed the police force and, as an advocate for free trade, reduced duties on many goods making smuggling less profitable. Centuries of smuggling declined but it has never died out and, although the nature of the contraband has changed, the charge of too few revenue and customs officers and border force staff to quell what can still be a violent practice resounds today.
This article was contributed by Helena Millen.
If you’ve enjoyed this post about smuggling, you may also like:
