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The Saga of Ben Kerr: Canada's Most Daring Rumrunner

Edgar Cox

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Published in Whisky And Ice: The Saga Of Ben Kerr Canada S Most Daring Rumrunner

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In the annals of Canadian history, few figures loom larger than Ben Kerr. A charismatic and enigmatic rumrunner, Kerr operated a vast smuggling empire that spanned the Atlantic Ocean during the Prohibition era.

Whisky and Ice: The Saga of Ben Kerr, Canada's Most Daring Rumrunner

by C.W. Hunt

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4101 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	192 pages

Born in 1889 in the small town of Port Greville, Nova Scotia, Kerr was a natural-born entrepreneur. As a young man, he worked as a fisherman and lobsterman, but his true calling lay in the illicit trade of alcohol.

When Prohibition was enacted in the United States in 1920, Kerr saw an opportunity to make a fortune. He began by smuggling small quantities of rum across the bFree Download, but soon expanded his operation to include large-scale shipments of whiskey and other spirits.

Kerr's smuggling empire was based in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, a small port town that became known as the "Rum Capital of Canada." From here, Kerr's fleet of schooners and speedboats would venture out into the Atlantic Ocean, dodging Coast Guard patrols and bringing back huge loads of contraband.

Kerr's success as a rumrunner was due in large part to his daring and ingenuity. He was known for his ability to outsmart law enforcement and evade capture. On one occasion, he even disguised his ship as a fishing vessel to fool the Coast Guard.

Kerr's exploits made him a legend in his own time. He was known as the "King of the Rumrunners" and was celebrated in songs and stories. But his life of crime also took its toll. He was constantly under threat of arrest and prosecution, and he lived in fear of being killed by rival rumrunners.

In 1928, Kerr was finally caught by the Coast Guard and sentenced to five years in prison. He served three years of his sentence and was released in 1931. After his release, Kerr retired from the rumrunning business and lived a quiet life until his death in 1958.

Ben Kerr's story is a fascinating and cautionary tale about the dangers and rewards of the illicit trade. It is a story that has been told and retold for generations, and it continues to captivate audiences today.

The Legacy of Ben Kerr

Ben Kerr's legacy is a complex one. He was a criminal, but he was also a folk hero. He was a man who defied the law, but he also risked his life to provide people with what they wanted.

Kerr's story is a reminder that Prohibition was a failed experiment. It did not stop people from drinking alcohol, it simply drove the trade underground and created a lucrative market for criminals.

Kerr's legacy is also a reminder that the illicit trade in alcohol continues to thrive today. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, smugglers continue to find ways to bring contraband into the country.

Ben Kerr was a product of his time, but his story is still relevant today. It is a story about the human desire for freedom and the futility of Prohibition.

Whisky and Ice: The Saga of Ben Kerr, Canada's Most Daring Rumrunner

by C.W. Hunt

4.5 out of 5