A daring but reckless run

When I first came to Mudeford the most notable smuggler working out of Christchurch Harbour was known as ‘Slippery’ Rogers because of the eel-like way he repeatedly evaded capture.

Rogers’ boat was a galley of exceptional length and always a splendid sight when she passed through the Harbour like the ghost of a Roman ship. In my mind I can still hear the songs of her 40 oarsmen as they rowed her along the Run before hoisting her vast expanse of sail and heading out to sea.

Nine times out of ten a galley could outrun any Revenue cutter. Indeed, in 1779 the government tried to prevent the use of galleys for smuggling by outlawing boats designed to be rowed by seven or more oars. This allowed them to be seized and destroyed by Revenue Officers - but Rogers was seemingly ruined by his own reckless daring.

Rogers considered it a matter of pride to undertake a smuggling run no matter the severity of the weather, asserting that the Revenue Officers were too cowardly to venture out in stormy conditions. Most mariners would probably have considered this to be a foolhardy rather than brave attitude, as was tragically proved.

One evening Rogers and his gallant crew set out fully laden from the French port of Le Havre, not fearing the signs of a gathering storm, but as they neared the English coast the wind and waves became pitiless.

As the conditions worsened Rogers had no option but to urge his crew to run his boat onto the shore, but in the trying she was wrecked. The whole cargo was lost and several of his crew sadly perished. That daring but reckless run ruined Rogers and ended his career.

Did you know?

The first daily weather forecast was printed in The Times newspaper on 1st August 1861. Before that most people relied on local knowledge and folklore to predict the weather.

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