In later years the smuggling vessels were smaller and unarmed, the smugglers trusting to their cunning for success.  Sometimes only large boats or galleys were employed, which pulled across the Channel, timing themselves so as to reach the English coast some time after dark.  If a Revenue cutter was seen approaching, the casks of spirits were loaded with stones, and being thrown overboard, were sunk, the smuggler having first taken the bearings of the land, so as to be able to return to the spot and drag for them.  Sometimes the Revenue cutter saw what was done, and performed that operation instead of the smuggler, the officers and crew thus obtaining a rich prize at slight cost.  So enormous was the profit, that if two or three cargoes out of seven were run, the smugglers were content.