Smuggling in Hampshire and Dorset, 1700-1850

Many factors combined to make the coasts of Hampshire and Dorset ideal for smuggling.

The prevailing south-westerly winds enabled a fast sea passage from the big contraband warehouses less than 100 miles away across the Channel.

The numerous, sandy beaches were safe places to land cargo, unseen by a poorly staffed and financed Revenue Service, and there were quiet, fast tracks along which to transport the goods inland to towns and cities where a sympathetic and eager market awaited it.

During its heyday, smuggling embraced a huge range of dutiable luxuries including lace, silks, coffee, soap and playing cards as well as less orthodox cargo such as golden guineas and spies.

It employed the young and old, men and women, aristocrats and labourers.

It was a big industry - it is estimated that the Battle of Mudeford in 1784, which the smugglers won, allowed them to keep a shipment of 120,000 gallons of spirits and between 30 and 40 tons of tea.

Geoffrey Morley's book describes the industry in detail along each section of the coast, explaining the methods used and introducing the legendary characters involved, from Abraham Pike, Chief Riding Officer for Christchurch to Lovey Warne, whose feminine charms enabled quantities of contraband to pass under the eyes of the Revenue Officers.

It is a fascinating study of a trade which even today is remembered with more than a little affection.