There are numerous sources relating to smuggling:
National Museums and Libraries and national Customs services (both in Britain and abroad – Section 2 A)
Local Museums in the Dorset area (Section 2 B)
Websites which provide information about smuggling history, up-to-date news and statistics (Section 2 C)
There are also sites which describe the language of smuggling and explain the law(Section 2 D)
Section 2 A: Smuggling - Important National Sites
In Britain today, the detection and prevention of smuggling fall under the responsibilities of HM Revenue and Customs and are outlined on their website. The history of the Customs and Excise (notice that the name has changed) is described both in museums and on websites. The HM Customs and Excise Museum is one of the National Museums where information and educational materials are found and the Merseyside Maritime Museum Archives and Library includes specific information on the Customs . Smuggling was not only a responsibility of the Customs but also of the Coastguard. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency site includes information about its history and its role in catching smugglers and confiscating their loads.
The British Library includes examples of documents related to smuggling on its Shipwrecks and Smuggling site which includes transcripts of documents. One of the shipwrecks documented there is the “Halsewell”, of which there are images in the DCDA Image Library and a description in Theme 3 Topic 2 History on the Seabed.
Because smuggling is an international cross-border activity, police forces and customs officials in many countries co-operate. This is co-ordinated by Interpol
Britain's closest neighbour on the European mainland is France. Unlike Great Britain where smuggling involves crossing a land-sea boundary, most smuggling in France historically was across land boundaries. Towns were able to set taxes on goods being traded and so their history is different from the British story. La Douane (the French Customs) describe their role today and in the past and more information is provided by the National Museum Le musée national des douanes à Bordeaux . The United States of America has very long land boundaries with Canada and Mexico as well as maritime boundaries. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is responsible for controlling smuggling and this has a site which not only describes its present role but also its history.
SECTION 2 B Local Dorset and Hampshire Museums
Many coastal museums include sections, as well as websites, which tell us about smugglers and smuggling. Several are listed in the box below.
Local museums |
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Dorset County Museum |
The museum holds programmes of schools related workshops with opportunities to handle real museum items.
http://www.swgfl.org.uk/ The museum has produced a web-based programme called Dorset and the Sea, including learning material about smuggling for KS 2&3
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Dorset History Centre, Dorchester |
Learning Programme on Smugglers and Smuggling is available as taught sessions or resources. It uses Prison Records, Customs Books and letters. Aimed at KS 2 and above, learners take on roles of smugglers or Excise men.
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Langton Matravers Museum
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“A Langton Smuggler”: a booklet available about a local churchwarden/ace smuggler!
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Lulworth Heritage Centre
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Coastguard cottages still exist and the rangers conduct tours for KS 1&2.
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Lyme Regis Museum |
Small smuggling display and, apart from the summer of 2007, customised talks can be arranged. Conducted educational visits around the town are offered where the customs house and warehouses can still be seen.
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Poole Museum |
The museum will re-open in June/July 2007 after the completion of refurbishment. Refer to website for opening date. |
Portland Museum |
The cottage museum houses a small shipwreck and smuggling exhibition. Bespoke sessions on smuggling can be arranged on request.
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Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum |
Victorian house built on what was originally smuggling territory. It houses Isaac Gulliver's pistol and smuggling day activities can be arranged.
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Swanage Museum |
Small website section on smuggling. The coastline was perfect for smuggling and Isaac Gulliver, the gentle smuggler, owned Lilliput Farm here.
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St Barbe Museum, Lymington |
On the edge of the New Forest , known for its smuggling activities, the museum offers a small display of artefacts, including a cutlass and boarding pikes, and some textual information.
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Box 2.B.1 |
SECTION 2 C National and regional websites
There are many sites with a county, local or national focus. Several are listed below in BOX 2C1
SECTION 2 D The Language of Smuggling
Smuggling and its prevention have specialised language, for example: Contraband, Excise, Court of Exchequer, Duties, Privateering, Customs, Revenue, The Free-trade, Taxes.
For a dictionary of Smugglers' words , the Burton Bradstock site is especially helpful. The exact legal meaning of some words is important if smugglers are to be tried successfully.
A glossary of words relating to smuggling and all other aspects of freedom, security and justice can be found on the European Commission website.
There are important legal differences between some of the words in the past and today. For example, the terms “people smuggling” and “people trafficking” have different meanings, although both involve moving people across international boundaries or between areas at war within countries.
Smuggling involves consent, i.e. the people want to be moved and are usually prepared to pay for this, but do not have the necessary documentation to enter the country. Trafficking moves people without their consent or by deceiving them about what they will be able to do when they reach their destination.
SAMPLE LEARNING ACTIVITY
Background and sources
Because we are using historical information as well as present-day sources, it is important to understand when the Customs were set up and the changes to their responsibilities. So the construction of a timeline could provide students with experience of accessing the main national sites, using these sources to produce their own timeline.
Intended outcomes
• Ability to prepare a chronology of events based on original and secondary information
• Understanding of the development of a system of laws and prevention mechanisms
• Identification of key present-day prevention mechanisms and regulations
Activity
Students are asked to use books, such as encyclopedia, and websites that include historical information to describe the history of smuggling and its prevention. The following sites will be useful:
History of the Coast Guard
British Library - Shipwrecks and Smuggling
Britain's Smuggling History
French Customs
French National Museum of Customs
Students produce a timeline which illustrates the main events in smuggling prevention. |
