Sunday, May 15, 12:30 p.m., Orcas Landing
— from Pegi Groundwater —
Prosper Graignic Ace.
If you love a leisurely cruise around the San Juan Islands and are curious about the smugglers of olde that haunted our shores, the Orcas Island Historical Society invites you to climb aboard the “Cruise Into History: Smuggler’s Blues”. Denise and Daniel Wilks of Orcas Island Eclipse Charters will be our hosts for the cruise on May 15 and all proceeds will benefit the Historical Society.
The 4-hour trip will take place aboard the 56’ Orcas Express, which will depart from the Orcas Village landing next to the ferry dock at 12:30. A local historian will point out the smugglers’ haunts and relate tales of rum running, Chinese labor and opium smuggling and murder and skullduggery on the high seas while you relax and take in the views.
Early island residents were not always fastidious about obeying laws made in distant Washington D.C. Enforcement of the laws in the intricate waterways around the San Juans was difficult and the government boats were slow.
Smuggling in the San Juans dates back at least to the Civil War, when liquor, blankets and wool were brought across the Haro Strait. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 provided an opportunity to earn easy money by smuggling in Chinese laborers to build the railroads and the opium that many of them liked to smoke.
Larry Kelly King.
Even more lucrative were the years of Prohibition between 1920 and 1933 when a fast boat and a bit of nerve were all that was needed to bring Canadian liquor to the thirsty folks in Seattle.
Ninety-nine dollars (after the group discount is applied at the time of purchase) plus tax will get you this plus a great lunch from the Orcas Landing Store, beer, wine and other beverages and an illustrated souvenir booklet to commemorate your historical day.
This popular event always sells out quickly, so make your reservations now by going to www.orcasislandwhales.com and clicking “Other Tours” or by calling 360-376-6566 for the “Cruise Into History” on May 15.
