The DOMVS Almanac issue #6_Summer 2023

Smugglers: Beneath the Surface
Discover the real people and history
behind Dorset’s tales of smuggling in this
new exhibition from Shire Hall Museum.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Dorset was home to
some of Britain’s most notorious smugglers. Across
the coastline, hundreds of people were secretly moving
goods in and out of the country for profit. But who were
these people known as smugglers? And why did they
begin smuggling?
‘Smugglers: Beneath the Surface’ takes a closer look at
four of Dorset’s most renowned smugglers. The nature
of smuggling means those involved have left us little
written evidence of their undercover exploits. What we
do have are the handed-down stories.
This exhibition explores the fame and success of Isaac
Gulliver, the ruthless and violent behaviour of the
Hawkhurst gang, the tragedy of young John Webber,
and how smuggling became a “family business” for the
Northovers.
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