It was an inside job for sure 1724

I often look out from my office window, which is directly onto the Humber Estuary, in a daydreaming state imagining the river users over the Millenia. 

On its shores have been excavated Prehistoric Boats made out of a whole tree trunk.

The Romans used Brough Inlet as a staging post for troops and supplies to serve their North of England campaign.

Other Invaders and marauders from Europe will have used it as back door into the hinterland of England

There has been a maritime trade for imports and exports for centuries including goods and in the tide of some 2.2 million immigrants who were landed at Hull before making their onward epic journey to the New World.

I came across a paragraph in a newspaper archive from October 1724 which highlighted a particular practice which I admit I had not really thought about on my very doorstep. 

It reads as follows;

Whereas eighteen Felons Convict were lately ship'd off on board a Sloop in the River Humber, in order to be transported to His Majesty's Dominions in America but have since made their escape from on board the said Sloop on the shore of Essex and there is all possible cause of suspicion that the said escape has happened through the connivances of some person or persons instructed with the care of their transportation. In order of the discovering and punishing of the authors and abettors of this wicked practice that the like may the better be prevented for the future and that the offenders may be seized and brought to justice His Majesty is graciously pleased to promise his pardon to any one or two of the Felons who will surrender him or themselves and make discovery thereof in such a manner that the said offender or offenders may be brought to justice and punished according to his or their demerits.