Monday, December 8, 2008

Schooner Sultana

The original Sultana was built in Boston in 1767, as a Revenue Cutter. It’s mission was to inspect the holds of cargo ships and ferret out smugglers, who were looking to avoid paying King George’s taxes under the Townshend Acts (1767). Goods imported into America, notably lead, paper, glass and tea (think the Boston tea party), were taxed. The result, colonialists were outraged. During the Sultana’s four years of patrolling off the U.S. coast, and after searching hundreds of merchant vessels, she had only made one smuggling seizure. Today a replica of the schooner Sultana sails out of its historic home port of Chestertown, Maryland. For the rest of the story Click Here.

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