Forum: Author Hangout

This is to writers with knowledge of British history. I am presently reading a book by Roger Burnage titled 'A Certain Threat' about a 1790 British Naval Lieutenant. In the first chapter the MC and family are discussing a problem with smugglers becoming more like pirates in the local waters, the northern coast of Wales. It is stated that in the past the smugglers had been friendly and on occasion even left an occasional bottle of French Brandy on the doorstep of the manor house. My question is whether there was much smuggling between what would be the west coast of Britain and France when it was mostly done in fishing boats.

If you don't mind fictional accounts for which the author did a lot of research, look for the dead-tree stories of Wilkie Collins. (Does anyone know whether they're on Gutenberg yet?)

AJ

I live in Washington State, in the USA, but I used to travel to Canada frequently. Among the reasons was to purchase a British monthly magazine: Wargames Illustrated.

Over the years they had at least 2 interesting articles about Smuggling during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.

They briefly talked about the history prior to the French Revolution (to avoid tariffs, port fees, and taxes). With the revolution Frech luxury goods, such as Brandy, other liquors, and such became both more lucrative, and smuggling increasingly dangerous. British authorities were concerned about spies or saboteurs being landed. The situation in France reduced the supply, and war increased the "need" for taxes, resulting in even more incentives to smuggle.

In the early 1800's Emperor Napoleon I attempted to impose the "Continental System" to deny trade and goods to the UK; the British Royal Navy blockade of the Continent also resulted in further incentives to smuggling.

Smuggling into the UK (and perhaps even some out) occurred nearly everywhere. However, patrols (naval and ashore) were heavier nearer the major Ports and beaches nearest to Normandy and the Pas de Calis.

Cornwall, and to a lesser degree Sommerset were notorious for smuggling So, to the Fens of east Kent, as well as the Tees and Tynemouth, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland all had areas where smuggling occurred.

Wargames Illustrated included "Skirmish Scenarios" based upon historic records. Smuggling was concerning enough to the British Government that detachments of Cavalry or Yeomanry (in that era they weren't Longbowmen, but Militia Cavalry, typically the sons and cousins of the Gentry); Light Dragoons were preferred. However, other types of Cavalry/Yeomanry, or even Infantry or Militia may be used to augment British Customs personnel.

(I believe the County Sheriffs, and in some locations "Borderers" or other military or para-military forces might be used.)

Typical Patrols were probably 4 to a dozen. 2-4 Customs (or possibly other law enforcement personnel; remember there were no Police or "Bobbies" at this time, or for a few decades more) Shire Reeves/Sheriffs were responsible for Tax Collection/enforcement; so, they might be persuaded to contribute some constables or other men to enforce customs (taxes) {Customs enforcement was NOT the typical jurisdiction of Sheriffs} Bounties (and/or confiscation) could be an incentive for a Sheriff, or Colonel in Chief of a Militia (infantry) or Yeomanry (Cavalry) Regiment to "volunteer" a few men. Regulars of the Royal Army would be ordered by "Horse Guards" (the location of the British Royal Army).

This would NOT be an entire Regiment. Rather, several individuals, to several dozen would volunteer/be "volunteered" if it was a larger number they would be spread out in penny packets along a considerable stretch of coast line (including up rivers).

From what I read a "typical" patrol would be 4 to 6, in rare circumstances up to a dozen. A couple Customs Officials (in the late 1700's I believe that a "senior" customs official paid a "license" {or perhaps an outright bribe} for the Office; they would then hire some "Toughs" (and "Sneaks") and receive a percentage of confiscated goods (or money/silver or other valuables) {perhaps not all "confiscated" goods were reported; coins (etc.) in particular might end up in peoples' pockets.

If there were a tip (or other "Actionable Intelligence" not a term of art at the time), then perhaps a dozen, or even a score (20) of Customs agents and soldiers might be concentrated (doing so would leave a considerable are un patrolled, so not common).

Unfortunately, many of my resource materials have been packed away for my pending move.

Smuggling was not just motivated by the profits of not paying duties, customs, port fees, and such. War cut off legitimate trade. Small coasters might find jobs hauling materials and victuals for the British Royal Navy. However, those with connections on the Continent, France and the Netherlands in particular, and with the increased profits of luxury goods...

If they could not conduct their ordinary (pre revolution/war) trade, they had to find another market. There was no "unemployment insurance" Not to mention that going into regular ports risked the sailors be "Impressed" or "Press Ganged" (forced) into the British Royal Navy.

Fishermen, or others with boats, might risk such opportunities too. Some had helped French Royalists or other escape from the Continent. Smuggling was not a secret, per se, just risky. Tariffs and other government costs were at least a thousand years old; so too was smuggling. The French Revolution, and the wars, as well as a larger market for smuggled goods made this in some ways similar to the "Prohibition Era" (1920's & 30's) in the USA for the smuggling of alcohol and cigarettes!

Piracy around the UK is not like in the movies. Mostly these would be small boats (dozen to forty men) perhaps 2 or more small boats working together. Boarding by stealth and overwhelming the small crew of Coasters or other small (but numerous) sailing craft in British (and Continental) waters.

So, it may not just be Smuggling, but Pirated goods.

Brigands, and "Highway Men" and other forms of criminality existed in the UK and on the Continent. Travel was mostly safe. Mostly. Constables, and other armed patrols, including military forces existed for a reason.

As for leaving a bottle of brandy on a porch. While most of these Criminals chose to break laws; some of them may have felt they had few or no other options. It was common for the Locals to feel they were merely coping with the "oppression" of the National Government, and their Cronies who "got rich" while impoverishing the locals.

Sometimes there were "blood" (family) connections, even between the Gentry or even local nobles and at least some of the leaders of the scoff laws. Parochialism was much more of a thing in this ear, than in our modern times. Similarities with the "Bootlegging Era" could be made (from the 1890's to the present era, not just the 1920's & 30's). Upper Classes were also an obvious market for smuggled goods.

It is a wondrously convoluted era and situation ripe for many stories.

Cheers!