The sale spread what Robertson called “an universal terror through the country.” The merchants disposed of their warehouses far below value and retired to other countries. Of thirteen deep-water vessels, three survived after fourteen months. The herring customs raised nothing at all in 1765.

Lutwidge’s own survey documented the destruction. The harbours fell into a gap between the Duke’s retained rights and the Crown’s new jurisdiction. Douglas harbour fell into ruin. Peel pier was carried away. Parliament had paid £70,000 and then let the infrastructure decay through sheer neglect.

An island that Parliament had seized to protect British revenue was costing Britain money. The smuggling simply relocated — to Guernsey, to the Scottish coast. The Manx fleet was destroyed. The trade carried on without them.

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