Don’t Never Tell Nobody Nothin’ No How: The Real Story of West Coast Rum Running

“We operated perfectly legally. We considered ourselves philanthropists! We supplied good liquor to poor thirsty Americans ... and brought prosperity back to the Harbour of Vancouver ...”—Captain Charles Hudson

At the stroke of one minute past midnight, January 17, 1920, the National Prohibition Act was officially declared in effect in the United States. From 1920 to 1933 the manufacture, sale, importation and transportation of alcohol and, of course, the imbibing of such products, was illegal. Prohibition was already a bust in Canada and it wasn’t long before fleets of vessels, from weather-beaten old fish boats to large ocean-going steamers, began filling their holds with liquor to deliver their much-valued cargo to their thirsty neighbours to the south.

Contrary to popular perception, rum-running along the Pacific coast wasn’t dominated by violent encounters like those portrayed in the movies. Instead, it was usually carried out in a relatively civilized manner, with an oh-so-Canadian politeness on the British Columbian side. Most operated within the law. But there were indeed shootouts, hijackings and even a particularly gruesome murder associated with the business. Using first-hand accounts of old-time rum-runners, extensive research using primary and secondary documentation, and the often-sensational newspaper coverage of the day, Don’t Never Tell Nobody Nothin’ No How sets out to explain what really went down along the West Coast during the American “Noble Experiment.”

“It’s high time that a meticulously researched book on rum running was written and Rick James has skilfully created the definitive work which both entertains and acts as a solid historical reference … [It is] a delight to read.”

“Writer, shipwreck researcher and historian Rick James opens a new chapter in maritime history with this insider’s view of the men and ships that spurred BC into a lead role as booze supplier to thirsty prohibition-bound Americans. James follows the trail of rum and money from the boardrooms of Vancouver’s shipping companies to the floating islands of liquor anchored off Oregon and California. Along the way, fortunes are made and governments topple. A stirring adventure, start to finish.”

“Rick James is a master storyteller … He has written a book many thought could never be written. In doing so, he brings a colourful ‘wet’ bit of maritime history to life.”

“Whether or not readers are persuaded by this account of relative Canadian innocence, they are sure to enjoy this engaging slice of true crime history on the Pacific coast.” 

“James’ authoritative and entertaining book takes a new look at one aspect of this illicit traffic, the story of the rum-runners who smuggled booze down the Pacific Coast from British Columbia into the western states.” ~ Daniel Francis, Canada’s History

Don’t Never Tell Nobody Nothin’ No How is impeccably researched, and James draws on first-hand accounts from oldtime rum runners, the often-sensational newspaper coverage of the day, and his expert knowledge of the various vessels that speckled the coast – from beaten-up fishing boats to ocean-going steamers. In addition, he offers astute commentary on the parallels between the prohibition of alcohol and the regulation of recreational drugs such as marijuana. -Sir Read a Lot, March 2019

“Historian Rick James gives us a fresh, authoritative look on those adventurers who criss-crossed BC and Washington waters to satisfy the thirst of Americans parched by the Volstead Act, the law that enforced Prohibition… This is an informative book that’ll make a great stocking stuffer.” ~ Marianne Scott, Pacific Yachting