Legal Definitions - tidesman

A tidesman was a historical customs official in England, primarily responsible for monitoring merchant ships upon their arrival in port. Their crucial role was to board incoming vessels and remain with them, often traveling with the ship upriver with the tide, to ensure that all required customs duties were properly assessed and paid before any goods could be unloaded. This position was vital for preventing smuggling and guaranteeing the collection of revenue for the Crown.

• Imagine a large merchant ship, the Sea Serpent, arriving in the mouth of the Thames in the 18th century, laden with spices and silks from the East Indies. Before the ship could proceed further upriver to unload its valuable cargo in London, a tidesman would board the vessel. This official would then accompany the ship, often for several days, ensuring that no goods were secretly offloaded and that an accurate inventory was taken for customs assessment.

  This example illustrates the tidesman's role in boarding a ship upon arrival and continuously monitoring its cargo to prevent evasion of customs duties, directly aligning with their defined responsibilities.

• Consider a scenario where a ship carrying timber from the Baltic Sea docks at a smaller English port. A local tidesman would be assigned to the vessel. His duty would involve staying on board, perhaps even sleeping there, until the customs officials had completed their inspection of the manifest and the appropriate duties for the timber had been calculated and settled. Only after his verification would the ship be cleared to begin unloading its cargo.

  This example highlights the continuous attendance of the tidesman on the ship and their direct involvement in ensuring customs payment before any unloading could commence, reinforcing the core function of the role.

• During a period of heightened concern about smuggling, the English Crown might have increased the number of tidesmen stationed at key estuaries. For instance, if a fleet of fishing vessels was suspected of secretly bringing in untaxed spirits from France, a tidesman might be specifically assigned to each vessel as it entered port, meticulously observing the crew and cargo until all customs procedures were satisfied, thereby acting as a direct deterrent to illicit trade.

  This scenario demonstrates the tidesman's preventative role against smuggling and their direct supervision to ensure compliance with customs regulations, safeguarding the Crown's revenue.