How did they do rum running?

During the Prohibition era in the United States (1920-1933), the illegal transportation and distribution of alcoholic beverages, including rum, became a common practice known as rum running. Here's how it was typically carried out:

1. Smuggling by Ship:

- Rum runners would use specially modified boats and ships to transport rum from countries like Canada, the Bahamas, and Cuba, where alcohol production and sale were still legal.

- These vessels were often called "rum-running ships" and were equipped with powerful engines to outrun law enforcement vessels like Coast Guard cutters.

- Rum runners would sometimes use tricks like painting their ships to blend with fishing or merchant boats, altering the ship's name or registry, or hiding the alcohol in false compartments.

2. Coastal Distribution:

- Once the rum was brought into American waters, rum runners would engage in coastal distribution.

- Smaller, faster boats known as "rum-running boats" or "bootlegger boats" would meet the larger ships offshore to transfer the rum.

- These smaller boats were often faster than law enforcement vessels, allowing them to evade capture.

3. Hidden Storage:

- Rum runners would conceal the alcohol in various places, such as hollowed-out logs, furniture, barrels labeled with false contents, and even coffins.

- They might also collaborate with legitimate businesses like fruit and vegetable companies to hide the alcohol among legitimate cargo.

4. Bootlegging:

- Once the rum was transported to the shores, rum runners would sell it to speakeasies, bootleggers, and other illegal distributors.

- Speakeasies were illicit establishments that sold alcoholic beverages during Prohibition, and they often relied on rum runners for their supply.

5. Bribery and Corruption:

- Rum runners frequently bribed law enforcement officials, politicians, and other influential individuals to overlook their activities or tip them off about potential raids or patrols.

- This allowed them to continue their operations despite the legal risks.

6. Public Perception:

- Rum running gained a certain level of public support, as many people opposed Prohibition and saw rum running as a form of rebellion against the law.

- Rum runners often became local heroes, and some even attained celebrity status due to their daring escapades.

It's important to note that rum running was a dangerous activity, and rum runners faced the risk of arrest, fines, and imprisonment if caught. Despite these risks, the demand for alcohol during Prohibition created a lucrative black market that incentivized rum running and other forms of illegal alcohol distribution.