6. Rum-Running along America’s Coastlines
While inland bootleggers navigated winding roads, daring maritime smugglers—known as rum-runners—plied America’s coastlines, delivering illicit alcohol from overseas. Employing nimble ships and covert strategies, rum-runners sourced liquor primarily from the Caribbean, Canada, and Europe, anchoring offshore just beyond U.S. jurisdiction. Under cover of darkness, they transferred cargo to smaller, faster boats that slipped quietly into major coastal cities like New York, Boston, and Miami. Notorious routes included the “Rum Row,” stretching from Maine to Florida, bustling with clandestine activity. These maritime operations not only supplied thirsty urban markets but also transformed coastal towns into thriving hubs of illicit commerce.
