King's Cutters and Smugglers: 1700-1855

The hunters and the hunted on the high seas

This book is-quite simply-the definitive work on a unique period of maritime history-from the beginning of the eighteenth to the middle of the nineteenth century when British seamen risked all to smuggle valuable goods from wool to tea and spirits from and to the Continent. These were ruthless men operating in large gangs, manning substantial, heavily armed vessels, who were not reticent when it came to attacking the Kings Cutters, storming Customs Houses, occupying towns, terrorising communities and committing murder and torture whenever they believed it furthered their ends. Against them were pitted the fast, lightly manned Kings Cutters-and their not always resolute captains and crews-backed by patrols of mounted dragoons and the Royal Navy. This book recounts the history of the smuggling trade, it describes many famous incidents and details the exploits of the principal characters on both sides of the law. The boats and ships are also described in complete detail, making this an invaluable work for those fascinated by the story of British seamen and their vessels.