Running rum during Prohibition: Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

Off the coast of Newfoundland is the Territorial Collectivity of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, a self-governing French overseas collectivity.  These two islands are more simply called Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.  You can see where they are located on the map below. 

These two islands played a fascinating role during the period of Prohibition in the United States. They essentially were warehouses of liquor for U.S. bootleggers. Ships from these French islands also supplied Prince Edward Island during its Prohibition period (1901-1948).  

During this period fishermen converted their trawlers and stopped hauling cod off of the Grand Banks to haul more profitable bottles and barrels of booze to its dry neighbor.  

In 1988 the collectivity issued the following commemorative postage stamp (Stanley Gibbons PM 604; Yvert et Tellier PM 492; Scott's PM 511) 

This stamp (part of my personal collection) was issued on August 7, 1988, features the fishing schooner, the Nellie J. Banks, and cases of liquor. It commemorates the 50th anniversary of the vessel being seized by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police cutter, the Ulna in August 1938. This seizure finally ended the Nellie J. Banks' rum-running activities.  She had been captured in 1927 by the United States Coast Guard ship, the Bayfield. 

While searching for postal stamps depicting liquor or related images, I came across this 1988 Saint-Pierre and Miquelon stamp. Investigating the stamp led to learning about the history of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and their Prohibition activities. We are in the process of purchasing a number of books recounting the islands' history and role during Prohibition for our Distilling, Fermenting, and Brewing Collection.  I'll have to find a copy of the stamp for the collection as well! 

If you are interested in learning more about Saint-Pierre and Miquelon's past, check out these articles. 

Smithsonian Magazine (January 2018) 

Spirits Selection (January 2021) 

International Food and Wine Society (February 2015)