Having just read the excellent book,'Smuggling in the British Isles' by Richard Platt, I discovered the trade in Gold by Smugglers from England (Kent) in what were known as Guinea Boats to France during the French wars, to help Napoleon's coffers.
The boats were around 40ft and included around a dozen oars and were almost impossible to catch up with. On their return they would have brought letters to spies in the UK.
I wonder if anyone knows of any illustrations showing these 'Guinea Boats'
and any accounts of them being intercepted by HM Coastguards or the Royal Navy.
I would imagine it would have been a one way trip to the Gallows at such treason.
A fascinating area of the Napoleonic Wars, that I am sure many are not aware of.
Google Smugglers Britain, to learn more.
Cheers,
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