“Midnight Herring”

“Midnight Herring”. (Rum-Running 1920-1933). , “Midnight Herring” , (Rum-Running 1920-1933), In 1919 the commercial fishermen of Lake Erie were experiencing one of their industry's cyclical downturns. On Jan. 1, 1920 the Volstead Act introduced prohibition across the United States and created a brand new sideline for a few enterprising fishermen., Prohibition was also in effect in Ontario, but it was a far less comprehensive ban here. Soon boxcars full of whisky were appearing on railway sidings in this spot. Their contents were shipped across the lake aboard craft ranging from fishing tugs to bullet-proof "grey ghosts". The boats either went all the way to Erie or to Long Point where they transferred their loads to American vessels. If caught, rumrunners might have their boats seized or spend time in an American jail. Most got away with it though, and thousands of cases of Canadian whisky and beer made their way to American speakeasies. The U.S. repeal of prohibition in 1933 marked the end of this colourful era., "Four and twenty Yankees , Feeling mighty spry , Came up to Canada To buy a keg of rye , When the keg was opened , The Yanks began to sing , God bless America.... , But God save the King!" , Prohibition-era song, Sponsors: Erie Beach Hotel, Dave and Jean Lentz, Daniel G. Wiest , Project Partners: Port Dover Harbour Museum, Port Dover Enhancement Association, Port Dover Board of Trade and Port Dover/Woodhouse and District Community Foundation