These 'Historical Snippets' have been cleaned from here & there and don't really fit elsewhere on the site. They are reproduced here in date order.

A unique example of a memorial to a Waterguard officer.

You can't imagine many Waterguard Officers being held in affection in Cornwall!

Up until 1809

Sail Stamps

 

Smugglers Profit - In England in the 18th. Century the profit to the smugglers was reckoned at over 100 per cent for every operation. They calculated that if they could save one cargo in three they were in profit. Farm labourers could earn a guinea a night unloading the smugglers boats and it was generally accepted that they would work on the farms during the summer and go smuggling during the winter. In 1735 Kent farmers were forced to raise labourers wages to keep them on for the harvest as so many were earning more money at the smuggling game. The smugglers themselves, and most members of the public, did not regard their activities as criminal. An old Deal boatman remarked after he retired "Good days then, when a boatman might smuggle honest, didn't go a stealing and wasn't afraid to die for his principles".

When a stranger to Cornwall and to its smuggling ways came upon a run being landed from smugglers boats he was horrified. Crowds had assembled on the beach to help unload the cargo. 'Is there no magistrate or Justice of the Peace here to stop this?' he asked .'No, thanks be to God. None within eight miles,' he was told. 'Then is there no clergyman here - does no minister of the parish live among you?. 'To be sure there is,' was the reply. 'Then Where is he?' cried the stranger. 'Why, over there holding the lantern,' said the smuggler pointing to the parson standing on a rock waving his lantern to guide the smugglers up the beach. - "Coastguard" by William Webb.

 

The Battle of Mudeford - 1784 - Between HMS Orestes, HM Excise Cutter Resolution & HM Customs Cutter Swan and the smuggling luggers Civil Usage & Phoenix. The smuggling vessels were seized after the battle in which an Officer of HMS Orestes was shot and killed. Over 300 smugglers ran the contraband in land, none of contraband was seized. - '1784 The Battle of Mudeford by Mike Powell (ISBN 1 897 887 01 9)'

1810 - 1819

Threat to a Customs Man - Custom-House, London 25 December 1812 - 'Whereas it has been represented to the Commissioners of His Majesty’s Customs, that a threatening letter was on the 28th inst, received by Joseph Platt, an officer of the Customs, at the port of Falmouth, of which the following is a copy: “Pray to God to forgive you, Joseph Platt, your doom is fixed as Perceval, the recently assassinated Prime Minister, received his death by a ball, so you shall fall. Your late proceedings with the packets, has driven me to despair, & ere I leave this earth, my determination is fixed to put an end to your wicked and cruel existence, unless you discontinue your commit­ting such robberies as you and your crew has perpetrated for some time past. I give you, J. Platt, to consider of this as above until 30th March 1813, my dear friend although my cruel enemy, and my mien, for the sake of your soul, pray to Jesus to forgive you, I say again your fate is fixed. A friend to the community, Falmouth 28th Nov. 1812.”

The said commissioners of His Majesty’s Customs, in order to bring to justice the person who wrote or sent the said letter, are hereby pleased to offer a reward of fifty pounds to any person or persons who shall discover and apprehend or cause to be discovered and apprehended the person or persons who wrote the said letter. . . ' -  West Briton & Cornwall Advisor

 

French Smugglers in Looe -  23 August 1816 - 'On Thursday last a small French vessel was observed to be nearly on shore, not far from Looe harbour; happily by the exertions of persons belonging to the port, she was got in safely.. . The vessel is chiefly laden with fruit, and having entered it at the Custom-house at Looe, a great part of the cargo was speedily disposed of. The custom-house officers took particular notice of twelve elegantly formed toys, in the shape of horses, the bodies of which were about four inches in diameter; and on handling them, they were led to suppose that they were more valuable than they appeared to be. Accordingly, one of them was emboweled, which led to a similar examination of the rest. The result was, the finding of 51 pair of silk stockings and 9 silk shawls which had been carefully secreted in the bodies of these elegant play-things. The King’s broad arrow has been placed on the vessel and cargo, in consequence of this unlucky discovery.' -  West Briton & Cornwall Advisor

 

Assault on the St. Ives Customs Men - Custom-house, London, 4th December 1815 - Whereas it has been represented to the Commissioners of His Majesty’s Customs, that in the night of the 23rd day of November last, Richard Hosking, sitter of the preventive boat in the service of the Customs, stationed at the port of St. Ives, in the county of Cornwall, seized on shore within the said port, between two hundred and three hundred casks of smuggled spirits; after which, the said Richard Hosking and his assistants were violently assaulted, and obstructed by a great number of smugglers unknown, who rescued and carried away the said goods.

The Commissioners of His Majesty’s Customs, in order to bring the offenders to justice, are hereby pleased to offer a reward of £200 to any person or persons who shall discover and apprehend, or cause to be discovered and apprehended, any one or more of the said offenders, to be paid by the Collector of Customs at the port of St. Ives, upon conviction.-  West Briton & Cornwall Advisor

1820 - 1829

Hastings. Daring attack on the Coast Blockade Service - At half past two am on February 23rd, 1822, a company of nearly 300 smugglers, armed with clubs, assembled on the beach near the Martello Tower, No. 52, (Pevensey Sluice) and attacked two of the Blockade sentinals on duty, near that station. A large smuggling boat, cutter rigged, was observed at the same time making for the shore. The smugglers succeeded in disarming one of the sentinels, but not before he had fired his pistol to give the alarm. In their attempt to disarm and secure the other sentinel, they were not so fortunate: they had, however, nearly overpowered him, after inflicting two very severe wounds on his head; they had already wrenched his cutlass from him (and in so doing they wounded him in several places) and they were endeavouring to gag him, one of the most powerful of the strugglers grasping him by the throat, when he was obliged to fire his pistol, and the leader of the gang was killed on the spot.

The smugglers then dispersed, without having succeeded in working a single tub; one of them has been apprehended. The smuggling boat from its size; is supposed to have contained from 400 to 500 tubs. She was close to the beach when this fracas took place, waiting for the issue, but this being unfavourable to the smugglers, she bore away for the opposite coast. A coach and six, which was in waiting at the back of the beach, to carry off the contraband goods, drove off empty. The sentinel, who behaved so gallantly in the defence of his own life, and in the execution of his duty, now lies in bed, in consequence of the bruises he received. Freemans Journal - Friday 1 March 1822.

 

The Preventive Water Guard - Mount Charles - The utility of that admirably conducted establishment, the Preventive Water Guard, was never more clearly evinced than this morning.

A smuggling cutter of the largest class (supposed to be the ‘Brothers’, well known as having been taken off Dover, last year, and unaccountably released though murder had been committed by her crew) had been expected off the coast for the last week. The agents have been collecting all the money in the country to purchase the cargo amounting to thirty thousand pounds, composed of tobacco, silk and teas. They took advantage of an easterly wind to make a dash up Inver Bay, having eluded six cruisers now encircling Donegal Bay. She hove to off Dourin Head, at ten o’clock last night.

Two hours would have cleared her of every bale of tobacco but most opportunely that vigilant and indefatigable officer, Captain Weiss, Inspecting Commander and Lieutenant Hamilton, Chief Officer, Preventive Water Guards, arrived in a galley and a small boat, with only eleven men. They instantly attacked the smuggler in most gallant style. Had they delayed to procure assistance from the other stations the landing of the cargo would most certainly been effected, the whole population around being ready to aid the smugglers. It was quite an exploit to make her sheer off, having shown a large crew, and who kept up a heavy fire of cannon and musketry against the little band all the night. Towards day-light the galley from Mullaghmore came up, and preparations for boarding were made, when suddenly, a breeze sprung up, which enabled the smuggler to get off. Her crew amounted at least to fifty, and she had nine ports aside. The average of smugglers effecting  landings in Donegal Bay was heretofore five per annum, since the establishment of the Preventive Water Guard, not one has been effected. Erne Packet & The Freemans Journal - 1 November 1823.

 

Smuggled Goods - On Thursday was tried before the Sub Commission of Customs, Sylvester Cullen, of Ballyvalden, for, on the 20th September 1822 offering a bribe to Mr.William Biddick, the Chief Officer of the Preventive Service, on the Blackwater station, to allow the landing of smuggled goods. The trial was put off on a former occasion, and on the present, the defendant, Sylvester Cullen was fined £500. Mr.Biddick attended from Cunnemara, in the Co.Galway, in which he is stationed. - The Wexford Herald/Freemans Journal - 16 March 1824

 

Another Smuggler - On Thursday, His Majesty’s brig ‘Pelorous’ 18 guns, arrived at Cove with a handsome lugger, the ‘Hope’ which she had captured that morning after a long chase, about 15 leagues off the Old Head of Kinsale, and during which 50 shots had been fired by the ‘Pelorous’, but only one of which, the last, took effect, and passed through the lugger,the object being, if possible, to bring her to without damage.

Yesterday morning the lugger was brought to the Customshouse-quay, where her cargo, consisting of 520 bales of tobacco, 13 chests of tea, and 7 kegs sprits, were landed and lodged in the King’s stores. The crew consisting of 26 men, have been committed to the county goal.  Two of them have been recognized as part of the crew of the ‘Banshee’, another smuggler captured some time ago, but who were then liberated by order of the Commissioners of Customs. - Southern Reporter/Connaught Journal - Thursday May 27 1824

 

Revenue Armed Cutters - As late as in the year 1824, the last of the armed cutters had not been yet seen, we call attention to the information which was sent to the London Custom House through the Dublin Customs. The news was to the effect that in February of that year there was in the harbour of Flushing, getting ready for sea, whither she would proceed in three or four days, a cutter laden with tobacco, brandy, Hollands, and tea. She was called the Zellow, which was a fictitious name, and was a vessel of 160 tons with a crew of forty men, copper-bottomed and pierced for fourteen guns. She was painted black, with white mouldings round the stern. Her boom also was black, so were her gaff, and masthead. The Officers were warned to keep a look-out for her, and informed that she had a large strengthening  fish on the upper side of the boom. Twenty cloths in the head, and twenty-eight in the foot of the mainsail. It is reported that she was bound for Ballyherbert,(Ballyhalbert ?)  Mountain Foot, and Clogher Head in Ireland, but if prevented from landing there she was consigned to Ormsby of Sligo and Burke of Connemara. In the event of her failing there she had on board two “spotsmen” or pilots for the coast of Kerry and Cork. - Anon

Preventive Service Swanage - 'On the 2nd of February last, Lieutenant T Holman of the Coast Guard station at Swanage, secured 91 tubs of spirits and a flagon of champagne that had been sunk in the early part of December, notwithstanding five unsuccessful attempts on the part of the smugglers to creep them up. In a few days after the above capture another cargo was sunk, the moorings of which were broken by the heavy gales, when 30 of the 110 tubs which had been stranded, were secured. The remainder being dashed to pieces by the violence of the waves. -  Freemans Journal - 27 March 1827.

 

1830 - 1839

Smuggling at Morston - In 1830 the Morston Coastguard seized a 30-ton fishing vessel, “believed to have been involved with the recent smuggling” It was in that same year that the Chief Officer of the Morston Coastguard was reduced to the rank of Boatman and posted away for negligence; in that he “went into” a band of smugglers without having his cutlass drawn or his pistols ready (and so was overpowered). Coastguard House was built in 1836 for Morston’s new Captain of the Coastguard, Lieutenant George Thomas, and the watch-house on the Point was built from the same delivery of stone. - Anon

 

Smuggling near Portreath -  2 April 1830 - On Monday morning, 48 tubs of brandy and 16 tubs of gin, were lodged in the St.Ives Custom-house stores, by the Coast guard stationed at Portreath. The spirits were captured the preceding night together with a boat. It appears the boat came from a small sloop rigged vessel which was seen on Sunday hovering off the coast, and the persons on board were in the act of landing the cargo within Hell Bay, about 3 miles west of Portreath, and which is bounded by terrific cliffs, termed Hell’s Mouth.

Mr Mortly, the officer of the Portreath Preventive Guard, with three of his men descended these cliffs at the imminent hazard of their lives, as a single false step would have precipitated them down the precipice, which is about 50 fathoms in height, and at the foot of it they came upon the smugglers, when the boat, and two of the crew were secured. It appears the smugglers had resolved on making a desperate resistance, as two of the Preventive Guard who had been at Hayle, and were proceeding to join Mr Mortly and his party, were encountered near the summit of the cliffs by eight smugglers, who were armed. Shots were exchanged and the Preventive men were overpowered, one of them named Rice, having received a ball in the thigh. Rice lies ill at Gwithian, to which place he was carried, and is under the care of Mr Angove, surgeon, of Hayle, by whom the ball has been extracted. - The West Briton Archive

 

Bribery in the 1830's - Bribery was the most common weapon used by the Freetraders and instructions were circulated to the Chief Officers of Stations giving advice on ways of preventing collusion. They were directed to try and discover a bribed man amongst the crew which can with ease be effected by looking to the mode of living of the men and by ascertaining if the men off-watch are really in their beds, as a case lately came to knowledge where a bribed character - a Deal Boatman - actually assisted the smugglers in working a cargo of fifty tubs upon the guard of one of his messmates after he had been relieved from daywatch, and of course supposed to be in bed, for which he received a bribe of ten pounds, and returned to his quarters ready for midnight relief.

It was not always money that was offered and another temptation for the unwary Coastguard can be imagined from the order in the Brighton district of 1831. “There being reason to fear that an attempt will be made to corrupt our men through the medium of females, it is my direction that patrols hold no communication with any person either male or female. - Anon

 

Smugglers Affray - At about three o’clock on Wednesday morning, a terrible and fatal affray took place at Worthing, between a part of the Coast-Guard situated there, and a large party of smugglers and batsman. The attention of two of the guards, Carter and Richards, was attracted by a boat making rapidly for the beach, immediately upon perceiving which, they fired their pistols. The report of the pistols was immediately followed by a simultaneous rush of between 200 and 300 men to the beach, the boat at the same moment coming to land. After having fired repeated signals, they were joined by two or three more of the guard and instantly commenced a pursuit down the High-Street, whither the smugglers were in full retreat. They were, however, flanked by a desperate and determined body of batsmen, who repeatedly attacked the officers with stones and staves alternately attacking and retreating, and keeping their opponents at bay till they reached the termination of High-Street, and the entrance to the fields and pathway leading to Broadwater. Here the officers were joined by Lieutenant Henderson, the Commanding officer of the station, and a most desperate affair began. Lieutenant Henderson, the moment they rushed upon him, ordered his men to fire, which they had scarcely had time to obey, when they were closed upon, and knocked down by the bats of 20 or 30 men, who continued to lay on most unmercifully, till they had completely incapacitated them from molesting them further.

Of the smugglers, William Cowardson was found dead in the field; one man was found shot through the thigh; another in the foot; while a forth had had his shoulder laid open by a sabre wound. Several men were carried off in a disabled state, by different individuals who were awakened by the conflict; but as yet no one has been apprehended. On the part of the Coast Guard, the following wounds were received:-Lieutenant Henderson had his left arm broken; in two places, his ear cut op en, and his head and body much bruised, Parrot, one of the men, has a rib broken; Clarke, his breast bone fractured by a stone which struck him as he was getting over the wall. The other men were also maimed in some way or another. An inquest was held at the Anchor Inn, on Thursday evening, J.L.Ellis Esq., coroner, upon the body of William Cowardson, and, after an examination of different witnesses, the jury found a verdict of “Justifiable Homicide” and expressed themselves completely satisfied that the conduct of the officers was completely authorised, and in a high degree honourable to them, on account of their intrepidity. Brighton Herald & The Times, London - 27 February 1832.

Malicious Shooting by a Revenue Officer 1834 - At the Western Circuit, Launceston, on Monday March 31, Jeremiah Murphy, a commanding boatman in the Coast Guard Service, was indicted for shooting James Rodd at St. German’s, Cornwall. Also present were Lieutenant Thomas Pennington, Chief Officer of the Coast Guard at Portwincle, John Cassidy, Coast Guard and Captain Haswell, Inspecting Commander of the Coast Guard at Devonport.

This case revolved around the fact that Murphy had been told by Cassidy, relaying a message from Lieutenant Haswell, to be on the look-out for a smuggler that night. Murphy saw a boat and thought it might be the smuggler, and challenged it, according to him his gun went off accidentally. He then agreed to pay Rodd £10 in compensation. Rodd having been injured only mildly, which Rodd accepted, but Murphy could not find the money to pay, so Rodd took him to Court. Murphy was defended by the Custom House lawyers and they were apparently given advance access to the depositions of the prosecution witnesses, which was the cause of some complaint by the Times, as unfair. Nevertheless Murphy was found guilty, but no sentence was passed on him. - The Times, London - 3 April 1834.

Contraband Tobacco - 'We are concerned to state that 44 half-bales of contraband tobacco have been found on board the ‘Thetis’ by Lt.Triphook and crew of the ‘Hamilton’, Revenue Cruiser, and Mr. Dexter, Chief Officer and men of the Coastguard at Beale. The greater part was secreted in the seamen’s berths, and five bales among the cargo (timber). The crew have been marched in custody from Tarbert to Tralee gaol, to abide the usual investigation. The vessel herself will, it is feared become a complete wreck, but the cargo is safe'. Saunders News - Letter Tuesday 9 December 1834.

 

Smugglers in the Navy - It does not seem to be generally known that smugglers sent on board His Majesty's ships on account of smuggling, receive only half the pay which is allowed to other seamen. - Dublin Evening Mail - 19 October 1835.

Bribery and Collusion - Yarmouth 12 March 1836 (Isle of Wight) - Lieutenant Dornford of the Coast Guard, and his boatmen at Freshwater-gate Station, were investigated on charges of bribery and collusion with smugglers. Inspecting-Commander of the station was Captain Deare, who had been informed that a boatman named Thomas had accepted a bribe. William George Sullivan was the only boatman at Freshwater-gate not accused. He was the informant. Another witness against the accused was Mr Harland, Supervisor of Excise. Lieutenant Johnston of Bembridge station, and Lieutenant Vacary of St.Lawrence station also gave evidence for the prosecution. Lieutenant Jenkin, Chief Officer of the Sconce station was another prosecution witness. All these, however, praised Lieutenant Dornford, and aimed their charges at his boatmen. Isaac Young and John Rochford were ex-boatmen at Freshwater who testified against Dornford and his men, but both were shown to have been in trouble with the authorities themselves and to have been dismissed the service. - The Times, London - 22 March 1836

 

Co. Clare Assizes - 1837 - William Elwell was indicted for assaulting Cuthbert Cheyne, and snapping a pistol at him, with the intent to do him bodily harm, at Doonbeg, on the 25th January last.

The facts of this case were that a party of the Coastguards, to which Cheyne belongs, were in charge of a wreck at Doonbeg, at which the prisoner was placed as tidewaiter. The prisoner complained of the inattention of the men, and on the night in question he stole a stave of oak, for the purpose of proving it. The sentry, however perceived him, when the prisoner told him he had stolen the stave, and ought to be taken prisoner : the guard replied very well, and brought him to Cheyne, when some scuffle occurred, Cheyne endeavouring to take the stave from Elwell, when Elwell took a pistol out of his pocket and snapped it at Cheyne.

Four of the Waterguards were examined, every one of whom gave a different account of the transaction, and his lordship in charging the jury went through the evidence, and told them it would be quite impossible to bring any verdict but of acquittal - Not guilty. - Freemans Journal - Saturday 4 March 1837.

 

1840 - 1849

Daring Robbery at the Helford Custom House, 28 September 1840 - Early on Firday morning, the 18th instant, H.M. Custom-house at Helford, within the Port of Gweek, was attacked by a body of men, consisting, it is supposed, of upwards of thirty persons, who broke open the heavy doors and strong locks, and robbed the cellars of 126 kegs of contraband Brandy, each keg containing four gallons and a half of spirits, which was seized on the 3rd instant, at Coverack. The burglars commenced their work about one o'clock, and in the course of half an hour succeeded in removing all the kegs except three, which they left for the benefit of the officers at Helford. The man and his wife who live at the custom house heard the men breaking open the cellar doors, but were afraid to give an alarm, which indeed, they could not well do, as the custom house is a remote building nearly three quarters of a mile from any house. From the tracks of wheels,it is supposed there were at least three wagons employed in removing the spirits, and it is probable that the property has found its way to some distance from Manaccan.  -  West Briton & Cornwall Advisor

 

Smuggling at Kilrush, 2 September 1841 - On Wednesday night Lieutenant JP Frier, commanding the coast-guard at Kilrush, proceeded with his crew to the Scattery Roads, the wind blowing a hurricane, to the brig Maria Brennan, of Limerick Campbell, commander, from Quebec to Limerick, and seized four 4 cwt, of tobacco in four concealments in the cabin: also, a sail boat and five persons on board, coming from the brig, who threw their cargo over board, the only part of which could be taken up by the coast-guard was a stocking filled with tea, but saw some large parcels floating: the sea running too high at the time prevented the possibility of bringing the boat in the direction of the floating parcels. On Lieutenant Frier boarding the brig he found two persons belonging to Kilrush in the cabin, which led to the discovery. The vessel, boat, and crew, are all in charge of the coast guard. Yesterday afternoon the captain of the vessel was apprehended and taken to the police office, from whence he was committed to goal to await the decision of the commissioners of customs. - Clare Journal -  Wednesday 8 September 1841

 

Smuggling at Falmouth - On Saturday last the barque "Lady Peel," of Falmouth, belonging to Mr. JOSEPH VIVIAN, of Roseworthy, was seized while in Falmouth harbour by Mr. NORTHCOTE, officer, of the Customs, of St. Mawes, in consequence of a quantity of tobacco about 80lbs., having been found on board; and Mr. LEUTY, the master, was remanded by the Mayor, W. R. BROAD, Esq., before whom the case was heard.  On Monday, a further search was made, and upwards of two cwt. more was found on board.  Information was given to the Revenue officers by a passenger who came home in the vessel from the West Indies, as a distressed subject.  The vessel is now nearly ready to sail with Government stores. - West Briton & Cornwall Advisor - 8 May 1846

 

1850 - 1859

Smuggling - 2nd August 1850 - On Monday last, Mr William MICHAEL, late master of the barque "Esther Frances," from Havannah, was charged before the mayor of Falmouth and Lieut. HILL and Mr ROGERS, justices, with having smuggled eleven and three quarters pounds of cigars in ten boxes. This was the man who (as was stated last week) was charged with attempting to poison his crew, but against whom the evidence was altogether incomplete on that charge, which was therefore dismissed by the magistrates. On the present occasion Mr TILLY appeared for the Board of Customs, and Mr GENN for the defendant. It appeared that the information that there were smuggled cigars on board, was given to BENNETTS, the constable, by the mate of the vessel, Robert DUNNAPACE. The witnesses examined in support of the charge were John SEDGEMEND, an extra man of the customs at Falmouth, E. Bennetts, constable, Robert Dunnapace, mate of the vessel, an apprentice on board called CLARKE, Mr HURST, tide-surveyor, Mr. SHELLEY, collector of customs, and a daughter of the constable. Mr. Genn cross-examined the witnesses, but the Bench considered the case proved, and fined the defendant £100, or in default, six months imprisonment. The fine not being paid, the defendant was confined in the borough goal.

On Tuesday last, Mr. E. Bennetts, constable, was summoned for obstructing a person in the preventive service, when discharging his duty. The matter arose out of the proceedings in the trial, against the captain of the "Esther Francis". -  West Briton & Cornwall Advisor

 

Smuggling - 4 November 1853 - On Thursday the 27th ult., Edward PHILLIPS, of Hayle, was charged by Mr. Thomas FERRING?? Collector of H.M. Customs, before the Rev. U. TONKIN, with having illegally landed from a foreign vessel a quantity of cigars, and was fined in the sum of 15s. -  West Briton & Cornwall Advisor

 

Strange Detection of Smuggling - 1850 - On Friday evening as the ‘Enterprize’ steamer which plies between Rotterdam, Ipswich and Yarmouth, was entering the latter harbour, she ran against the pier, and carried away part of the wood-work of the paddle box, discovering to the astonished Customs-house officers about 160 lb. of manufactured tobacco dangling down among the paddle-work machinery, in such a position that no mortal would have ever dared to search. Bradly, the engineer, is now in custody on the charge. -  Essex Standard - Ref: Freemans Journal Monday 7 October 1850.Ref: Memoirs of Andrew O’Donoghue.

 

1860 - 1869

Rum Afloat - a Rare Opportunity. The brig Elizabeth Buckham, which was reported lost off the mouth of the Mersey, seemed to have broken up rapidly on Tuesday morning, and with the afternoon tide large numbers of the casks of rum with which the vessel was partially laden, floated ashore along the Cheshire coast by Egremont, New Brighton, and on as far as Leasowe. The scene that ensued was such as has not been remembered on that coast for more than twenty years. Large crowds of persons flocked down to the beach, the kegs as they came ashore were seized and broached, and a scene of horrible debauchery ensued, and lasted throughout the night. Many casks were picked up by small craft anchored in the river. The casks came in so quickly that the few police and the Coastguard of the district were powerless to check the appropriation of the property. Men, women and youths drank the spirit, which was many degrees above proof, and became senselessly drunk. During the night several persons were found lying senseless on the beach. One young man died, and yesterday two others were in a hopeless state. One poor girl has been brutally outraged.

Assistance was procured by the police, and the casks collected. On Wednesday afternoon 113 had been secured. The Irish Times - 30 November 1866

 

1880 - 1887

A Humiliating Spectacle - circa February 1884 - During the past few days a large quantity of wreckage has been washed ashore along the coast to the East of Brighton, between Blackrock, Newhaven and Seaford, and from portions being found with the name ‘Simla’ upon them, it is believed the wreckage comes from that vessel, which was in collision a few days ago off the Isle of Wight.

Among other articles were a dozen 36 gallon casks of wine and several casks of Burton Ale. A large concourse of persons assembled during Friday purloining various articles, and broaching the casks. An extraordinary scene of drunkenness followed, numbers of men and boys lying about helplessly intoxicated, many of them insensible. One boy of 15 and two others were found to be so bad that they were removed to the Sussex County Hospital, and were detained, the stomach pump being brought into requisition. Twenty persons were found helplessly drunk shortly after 5 o’clock on Friday afternoon, and had not other persons and several Coastguards arrived on the spot a number of them most certainly would have been drowned. They were removed to the Coastguard station, where a fire was lighted, and they were kept till morning, when a portion of them having recovered were permitted to take their departure. A man named Mockford, who was found in a cave on Saturday, having apparently been lying in a state of intoxication since Friday night, has since died.' - The Times. London 4th February 1884.

 

Tobacco Smuggling - 21 February 1887 - West Kerrier Petty Sessions, Wednesday, Before the Rev. AA Vawlrey (chairman), Capt. JP Rogers, RA, and the Rev. AHM. St. Aubyn. John Nankervis, of Ruan Minor, pleaded guilty to having unlawfully in his possession several pounds of tobacco. Mr. Manners, Collector of Customs at Falmouth, prosecuted, and stated that he and the coastguard officers of the Lizard visited defendant's house, and told him they had suspicion of being unlawfully possessed of leaf tobacco. Defendant denied that he had, but on the house being searched, some sailor's pig tobacco was found under the bed. It was about ten pounds. It was stolen from the wreck of the "Suffolk." Nankervis, who had nothing to say, was fined £5 2s., including costs. -  West Briton & Cornwall Advisor

 

1890 - 1899

The Sloop Inn, St. Ives - 12 January 1899 - The landlady - Mrs. Elizabeth Baragwanath - and her father before her occupied the house for nearly 50 years. She has its history at her fingers’ ends; back to the time of an old smuggler known only as “Old Tubs”.

“Old Tubs” and another noted and daring smuggler, whom they always called “Old Worms,” and who had the command of the “swag” in Hicks’s court, are the best remembered characters in St. Ives, and many a well authenticated tale of savage conflict between King’s officers and St. Ives smugglers dates from Hicks’s-court, and the Sloop on the foresands. In and around the Sloop during election time congregated hundreds of fishermen; beer flowed like water. The red coat and cocked hat of an Exciseman were a red rag to an infuriated bull; party fights with fists, sticks, stones, and any other weapons coming to hand would throw Donnybrook into shadow. The most severe party fight ever known in St. Ives was on the 27th of March, 1820, when the effigy of one Tom Tucket was burnt in front the Sloop for the part he took in the return of Messrs. Evelyn and Graham to Parliament. The members were charged with bribery, but their election was confirmed by the House of Commons. About 700 men, boys, and women were all fighters together on the foresands, and great personal injury was inflicted.

In 1899, the Sloop Inn was a low, yellow-washed house crouched beneath a two centuries old slate roof with tiny dormer windows. Inside, was “like the deck of an old 74 line of battle ship - all beams and timbers”, while upstairs, “a four poster bed would fill the state-room; the others were smaller.” -  West Briton & Cornwall Advisor

 

1900 - 1909

Doom of the Coastguards. We live in piping times of peace and need no longer fear the armed invader. The Martello towers that dot the coast are for sale, and now it is proposed to abolish the Coastguard service, which has existed for nearly a century. The Martello towers were of somewhat earlier origin, having been erected at the time of the scare produced by the assembling of  Napoleon’s Army of England. But when Napoleon had tired of that game of bluff and moved his army off to the Rhine England found herself threatened by another and a more dangerous enemy. The depredations of the smuggling fraternity, Englishmen as well as Frenchmen and Dutchmen, were severely felt by the Revenue authorities during the Napoleonic wars and a force called the Coast Blockade was organized and located in the Martello towers.

This was in turn succeeded by the Preventive Waterguard, administered by the Customs authorities, though with naval officers in control of the local stations. Then in 1860 the Coastguard was absorbed by the Navy, and at that date formed the only reserve for the British fleets. Now the Navy has other reserves, and the Coastguard, according to the proposal of the Inter-Departmental Committee, is to be gradually reduced by stopping all further entries, while the Board of Customs is to take over the revenue and other extraneous duties hitherto performed by the Coastguard men. The Admiralty will retain certain naval Coastguard stations, which in Ireland will be restricted to the requirements of naval signal and wireless telegraphy stations. - The Irish Independent - 20 June 1908.

1910 - 1919

1920 - 1929

'Cooperage' on the North Sea. Frederick Kattrup, a Danish merchant, and a German shipmaster, Claus Hagenah, residing at Basbeck, Cuxhaven, Germany, were before Sheriff Dallas at Aberdeen on 29th ult. in connection with 'cooperage' in the North Sea selling intoxicating liquor on which no Excise duty has been paid, to those engaged in fishing operations.

Kattrup, as controller of the cargo of the motor boat Marian of Cuxhaven, admitted having, on July 25th, when the vessel was Iying in the south bay of Peterhead, within 750 yards of the coast, unshipped and transferred to a small boat, belonging to the sailing vessel St. Jean, of Kirkwall, uncustomed goods consisting of three bottles of Rum, one bottle of Brandy, 11/4lb of cigarettes, and 14ozs of foreign manufactured tobacco.

Mr. Joseph Johnston, advocate, said that the cargo on the' 'Marian' was consigned to Iceland, and as the boat was short of oil it was decided to put into Peterhead. The passports of all on board were in order, and they came ashore in a small boat, and reported to the Customs authorities, who told them they would be quite safe to anchor in the bay. Some time later a small boat from the St. Jean of Kirkwall passed, and her skipper told the accused that he was in need of tobacco and drink, and did not want to put into Peterhead for them. The accused accordingly sold him the articles mentioned in the complaint, and received the sum of £1 - 9's., doing so purely as an obligement to the master of the Kirkwall boat. The latter had been fined at Peterhead previously for buying the stuff.

Mr. Thomas Maclennan, Procurator-Fiscal, said the Board or Customs and Excise considered this to be a very serious case. Kattrup was a merchant, or Wine and Spirit dealer, somewhere, and apparently he had chartered the motor ketch to go to Iceland with the Spirits and Wines referred to. The Spirits and Wines were not consigned to any person, and the Customs authorities had a strong suspicion that it was just a case of what is called 'cooperage' on the North Sea. At present a large number of fishing boats were at sea, and there was a suspicion that the spirits and tobacco were being sold to our fishermen, which was a very common and objectionable practice. There was also on board a quantity of shoes belonging to the accused. There were no bills of lading. The goods were laden at Hamburg, Germany, but the boat belonged to Copenhagen. He did not know why the boat put into port at Peterhead, but that would be gone into in connection with the case against the master of the boat. The Customs authorities did not admit what had been stated by the accused to his agent, but that would be gone into later.

The Sheriff imposed a fine on Kattrup of £10, almost treble the value of the goods, with £1 - 5s expenses - £11 - 5s in all, which was paid in Court. - Wines & Spirits Trader Record - 14 August 1924

Opera-glasses and Binoculars. For smuggling five pairs of opera-glasses and binoculars, Julius Bernstein, described as a merchant, of Gloucester Road, London, was at Dover yesterday fined £26 12s, and the goods were confiscated. He had passed the Customs, when his bulky pockets attracted notice. - The Times - 22 September 1922

Smuggling Revival. An article by 'A Customs Officer' explaining how the 'Old Time Trade, has returned to the South Coast'. Lloyds Sunday News - 19 August 1925.