|
|
|
Smuggling was rife and well supported by islanders. There was therefore a 'need' for Customs & Excise presence, and in 1634 this was 'The King's Boat'. Another such Revenue Cutter was the Royal George of 250 tons, she had a crew of 60 men. One of her Cannon is embedded in the seawall at West Bay. (Officers named streets, eg Crawford and Ritchie were Captain and Mate respectively). The Garrison was a built to house her crew (a second storey was added some 20-30 years later). Opposite stood a look out post on one of the eileens. Talking of the Royal George (the hotel that is) the land it sits on at one point was an island. For ease of access, land was reclaimed from the sea, and it was joined on to the rest of Millport. In a similar note, part of Stuart St was reclaimed also - ever wondered why the buildings near the bank are set back from the others?
|
|
|
| Picture postcard of the Garrison (Before) |
|
|
|
|
| 1905 before further extention |
|
|
|
|
| ?Revenue Cutter Royal George |
|
|
|
|
|
