The diary of a rum-runner,

by Alastair Moray

During Prohibition (1920- 1933) it was illegal in the United States to sell, manufacture, or transport liquor. It was not illegal to buy or drink itand America was thirsty! In September 1923 Scotsman Alastair Moray set out from Glasgow to the United States on board the 187-foot, four-masted schooner Cask loaded with thousands of cases of fine Scotch whiskey. The trip that was supposed to take three-months lasted eleven, and Moray detailed each days activity in brilliant fashion. First published in 1929, The Diary of a Rum-Runner has been fully researched and updated with new information which confirms, and expands upon, Alastair Morays incredible, yet true, account of his time as a rum-runner.

Hardcover

First published February 28, 2006

Reviews

[Kara Fraser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous and interesting as both a history piece and a diary but, because it’s a diary, it doesn’t necessarily grab you and hold on. I found myself only drawn to read it episodically, although I enjoyed it when I did. Glad I read it but probably not something I will reread.

[Paula Dembeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

During Prohibition (1920-33) it was illegal in the US to sell, manufacture or transport liquor—but it was not illegal to buy or drink it. In September 1923, the author set out from Glasgow to the US on board the 187 foot 4 masted schooner Cask, loaded with cases of Scotch whiskey.
The trip was supposed to last 3 months but lasted 11 and he details each day’s activities. He brought 200,000 cases of liquor to NY and endured terrible storms during the voyage across the Atlantic. Selling the cargo was an equal challenge and he shares the inside secrets of smuggling, including price fixing and secret codes giving the reader a glimpse of the dangerous and highly corrupt world of the rum runner.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpected delight of this factual, personal account is the cheerfully sarcastic voice of the narrator.

At times it is frustrating what fails to be recorded in a diary. Characters are introduced by first name and then discarded without another word, or brought back again... but that's a flaw not of the writer but the medium. Generally I found it quite diverting and as a scotch fanatic, the subject matter was very dear to me.

[Xdw · Rating 5 out of 5]

daily diary of a crewman on a large schooner at the end of working sail.