pirate radio

Description

The World At One with William Hardcastle on the BBC Home Service....... In June 1966 Radio Caroline embarked on a joint venture with rival pirate Radio City, which broadcast from a Second World War marine fort off the Kent coast, seven miles from Margate. One of the directors of Caroline, Major Oliver Smedley, agreed to pay for a new transmitter to relay Caroline's programmes from the fort, while Calvert, the owner of Radio City, would continue to run the operation but this time on behalf of Radio Caroline. However, Radio Caroline then withdrew from the deal when it was heard that the government intended to prosecute those occupying the forts, which were still Crown property. Smedley, however, had received no payment from Calvert for the transmitter. A raid on the Radio City fort was subsequently launched by Smedley on June 20 and the station's transmitter was put out of action.On June 21, Calvert visited Smedley's home to demand the departure of the raiders and the return of vital transmitter crystals. A violent struggle developed during which Smedley shot Calvert dead. During the subsequent trial, Smedley was acquitted on grounds of self-defence. After the sensational death of Reg Calvert and lurid tales of real swashbuckling piracy, the British government brought in the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act (Marine & Etc. Broadcasting Offences Act) of August 15, 1967 to make offshore broadcasting a part of British criminal law in the United Kingdom. Radio City stopped broadcasting after Mrs Calvert appeared in court charged under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, as the station was said to be broadcasting within the 3 mile (5 km) limit. Radio City closed down shortly after Mrs Calvert lost the case. More info on Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald_Calvert http://bit.ly/aLjmsg