When the colonies were first established, the waters of Europe were so polluted that no sane person would consider drinking it. European colonists, including the upright Puritans, young children, and Baptist ministers drank prodigous amounts of hard apple cider and liquor. Soon, with the "triangle trade" bringing molasses from the Indies to be distilled into rum, Newport became a center for shipping. And, as England began clamping down on the free-spirited Rhode Islanders, Newport became a center of smuggling.

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In 1774 the Rose, under the command of James Wallace, was sent to Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island to put an end to the smuggling that had made Newport the fourth wealthiest city in America. Since the Rose was much larger than any American vessel of the time and Wallace was an effective commander, smuggling soon came almost to a standstill. This severely affected the economy of Newport. Rhode Island's merchants petitioned their colonial legislature to create a navy to deal with Wallace. They backed up their petitions with money by fitting out a merchant vessel for naval service. This vessel was commissioned as the Sloop of War Providence. Providence became the first naval command of John Paul Jones. Rhode Island declared its independence from Britain on May 4, 1776, two full months before the rest of the colonies. The petitioning of the Continental Congress to form a naval force to rid Narragansett Bay of the Rose was the impetus for the creation of the Continental Navy.

Many Rhode Island merchantmen went beyond simply smuggling. Many turned to piracy. Some were "privateers", sanctioned by the government to raid enemy shipping. Others turned to preying on non-aligned and sometimes friendly ships, rightfully earning the title "pirate". Newport's White Horse Tavern, the oldest tavern in the US, was established by one of these pirates.

In the 1920's, Newport relived it smuggling heritage. But rum's cheapness made it a low-profit item for the rum-runners, and they soon moved from Carribian rum to smuggling Canadian whiskey, French champagne and English gin to major cities like New York and Boston, where prices ran high. It was said that some ships carried $200,000 in contraband in a single run — at a time when $50 a week was considered a good wage for an honest worker.

On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment ended Prohibition, and with it the rum-running business. Most of the rum ships were sold or scrapped, and their crews either went into the merchant marine or the U.S. Navy, which was gearing up for World War II. Surprisingly, the Navy welcomed the ex–rum-runners as skilled and experienced seamen (some with battle experience), often giving them non-commissioned officer ranks.

Throughout more than 300 hears of history, smuggling and alcohol has left its mark on Newport. Visitors to Newport can walk through the history of rum and other alcoholic beverages.

One important landmark to to discover as you roam Newport is the oldest tavern in Rhode Island -- The White Horse Tavern. It was built in an era when alcohol wasn't a vice, and was among the few wooden structures that survived the British occupation of Newport during the revolution.

One good way to explore this fascenating aspect of Newport's history is to take one of the walking tours offered by the Newport Restoration Society, particularly their Rum and Revolution walking tour. Be entertained and informed on this interactive tour whichs covers a 300-year history of drinking. Colonial taverns were centers of politics, travel and news. Newporters have gotten drunk - and very rich - on rum over the centuries, a critical aspect of the seaport’s history. Through jovial, authentic history-telling, learn about the changing role of alcohol in our culture.

You can visit their website at http://www.newportrestoration.com/histours/