Glossary of Customs and Excise terms.

• Anker: A measure of spirits, generally 7 1/2-8 gallons. Half Anker barrels of approximately 4 gallons became the usual size for easy transport.



• Bat: A long wooden stave used as a weapon by smugglers.



• Boatsitter: A chief boatman in the Preventive Waterguard.



• Coast Blockade: The preventive system in Kent and Sussex 1817-1831.



• Coastguard: (first called Coast Guard) The national preventive service under Capt. W. Bowles, appointed 1822.



• Coastwaiter: The Customs officer responsible for vessels from home ports.



• Collector: The head of the Custom personnel at each port.



• Comptroller: The Collector's deputy at larger ports.



• Cutter: A single masted vessel, rigged like a sloop, but with a running bowsprit.



• Dragoon: A mounted soldier.



• Exciseman: An officer responsible for accessing and collecting Excise Duty.



• Flink Pistol: Used to flash a signal; in appearance like a starting gun.



• Free trader: A smuggler.



• Galley: A large open rowboat, typically propelled by up to 20 oars.



• Geneva: Gin, also known as Hollands.



• Hanger: A sword.



• Huer: A man who kept watch for pilchard shoals.



• Landwaiter: The Customs official who supervised the unloading of ships from foreign ships.



• Lugger: A vessel with four-cornered sails, rigged fore and aft.



• Owler: Anyone smuggling wool out of England.



• Pilchard palace or cellar: Where pilchards were stored and pressed for oil.



• Preventive Waterguard: Preventive service established in 1809 covering country in three districts; patrols by cutters and small preventive boats.



• Privateer: A privately owned armed vessel holding a government commission to wage war on enemy ships.



• Riding Officer: Officer in the Customs service appointed to patrol on horseback, initially to counter the owling trade.



• Run: A successful landing of contraband.

1 Comment · 16501 Reads ·   Posted by Tony on August 09 2008