How was Bermuda involved in rum smuggling during Prohibition in the United States?

During the Prohibition era in the United States (1919–1933), Bermuda served as a source for the illicit trade of alcohol. The island was involved in the activities of rumrunners—ships and individuals engaged in the clandestine transport of prohibited liquor into the United States to evade national import restrictions.12

This activity was part of a broader pattern of smuggling during that period, where fleets of vessels transported spirits from various locations in the West Indies and Europe to the Atlantic coast of the United States. While Bermuda is noted for this historical role, it is important to recognize that smuggling inherently undermines the rule of law and the regulatory frameworks established by sovereign nations to protect public health and safety.3