Name

The Customs Officer’s Dilemma

Description

You are a customs officer at Douglas harbour in 1755. Ships are arriving from Rotterdam, Bordeaux, and Barcelona. Every cargo is entered legally through the Duke of Atholl’s customs house. Every duty is paid. Nothing you see is against Manx law.

But you know — everyone knows — that those eight boxes of Bohea tea will be on a wherry to Lancashire by midnight, and the three tons of brandy will never see a British customs house.

The Duke profits from the duties. The merchants profit from the trade. Your family depends on it. What do you do?

Each family member plays a different role: the customs officer, the merchant, a cooper’s wife, the Duke’s agent, a revenue cutter captain from Whitehaven. Each has a situation to resolve. There are no right answers. That’s the point.

Key Stage / Type

Family Activity

Ages 8+

At Home / Game / Role-play

Period

1703–1765

Topic

Smuggling & Trade