self-proclaimed nationPrincipality of Sealand ” celebrated its 55th anniversary on September 2nd. “Looking back on everything that has happened in the past 55 years, I am proud to be a part of this country that has stood the test of time,” he wrote on his official Twitter account.
The Principality of Sealand was born when former soldiers occupied a British naval fortress built during World War II. The “land” is 9 meters wide and 23 meters long, with an area about the size of a tennis court. Although it claims to be the “world’s smallest independent state,” it is not recognized by any country in the world.
After its declaration of independence in 1966, it has suffered from legal battles with Britain, a coup d’état and fires that destroyed half the country, but it still stands 11 kilometers off the east coast of England. In this article, let’s take a look back at the lesser-known history of the Principality of Sealand.
■ The founding of the country was triggered by a pirate radio broadcast
During World War II, the British built several naval forts near the Strait of Dover to hold back German invasion. These were called the Mansell Fortress, where soldiers were permanently stationed, but they were unmanned after the war.
It was the “pirate broadcasters” who took notice of it. In the 1960s, there were no commercial radio stations in England. Pop music was only played for 45 minutes a day on the BBC, the public broadcaster, and people were frustrated.
As a result, radio stations not officially recognized by the government were set up one after another, broadcasting radio waves from ships on the high seas.Eventually, Mansell Fortresses will also be used as a “radio station”was becoming。
One such pirate station was Radio Essex. It was run by former British Army Major and fisherman Roy Bates. In 1965, it began broadcasting after occupying Mansell’s Fortress “Knock John Tower” at the mouth of the Thames.However, a court upheld the government’s claim that the fort was within British territorial waters, and Roy Bateslost。
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But he didn’t give up. In order to resume pirate broadcasting, on Christmas Eve 1966, they landed and occupied Mansell Fortress “Ruffs Tower”, which is located outside the territory. Built 11 kilometers off the Suffolk coast, the fortress reportedly housed between 150 and 300 soldiers during the war.
Furthermore, on September 2, 1967, he proclaimed himself Lord Roy Bates and declared the founding of the Principality of Sealand, whose territory was Luffs Tower.This day is the birthday of my wife, Joan, who landed with me, and she has the title of “Princess”.gifted。
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The British appealed to court for forced eviction, but a ruling of 25 November 1968 ruled that the Principality of Sealand was outside British territorial jurisdiction.
Principality of Sealand Official Siteaccording to”It is rather a brazen case in the days of Sir Francis Drake (pirate and Admiral of the Admiralty of the Navy), but it is my judgment that the English courts have no jurisdiction.‘ said the British judge in his ruling.
The Principality of Sealand said the ruling was a “de facto recognition” of the country. In 1975, it enacted its own constitution and national anthem. It seems that the pirate radio broadcast did not resume.
■ A coup d’état by a German “Chancellor” breaks out.captured by helicopter
In 1978, Prince Roy Bates planned to run the casino and appointed West German investor Alexander Achenbach as Chancellor. Plans to build a $70 million hotel and gambling complexit was a grand plan。
However, Achenbach planned a coup to monopolize the profits. With his companions, he raided Sealand by motorboat and helicopter. He deported Prince Roy Bates and took his son, Prince Michael Bates (now Duke) hostage.Prince Michael said of the situation at the time, “They locked me up without food or water for four days.They were terrorists.”looking back。
Duke Roy Bates, who went to England, recruited about 20 comrades and carried out a recapture operation using a helicopter, making use of the connections of former soldiers. He is said to have regained the Principality of Sealand.
He took Achenbach and others as prisoners of war. The prisoners were released as a result of the German government sending diplomats directly to the Principality of Sealand. Regarding this diplomatic negotiation, Prince Roy Bates is said to have claimed that “Germany has de facto recognized the Principality of Sealand.”
■ Active as Data Haven in the 2000s
In the 2000s, 30 years have passed since the founding of the country. In the age of the Internet, the Principality of Sealand suddenly attracts attention. By setting up a server in the country, it will be used as a “data haven” that will not be censored by the state.
American Ryan Lucky moved to the Principality of Sealand and set up a server. He co-founded HavenCo in 2000 with the government.
The company said it prohibited using its servers for child pornography, spam, and malicious hacking purposes, but said it would allow all other content.Since the Principality of Sealand is not a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), international intellectual property laws do not apply.was claiming。
Antivirus software “Norton”coverageLucky and the Sealand government clashed and broke up after a dispute over content hosting, according to Lucky. In 2008 HavenCo ceased operations.
Lucky later moved to a security firm, which was also controversial. The company has been accused by the hacker group Anonymous of hosting and protecting the site of Islamic extremist group ISIS.
■ In 2006, half of Japan’s land was destroyed by fire
Two years before he parted ways with Havenco, a fire destroyed half of the land in the Principality of Sealand.
On June 23, 2006, a fire broke out from an aging generator, and the principality was partially burned. Roy Bates was living out of the country at the time and was safe, but the country was devastated. Two days later, Mr. and Mrs. Bates returned to the country and redeveloped the country with their own funds. By the end of July, the restoration of the generator and the wiring system that had been destroyed by fire was completed, and it is said that the principality was able to continue.
In January 2007, the cash-strapped Principality of Sealand put the entire country on the market for £65 million (approximately ¥14.8 billion at the time).Reported. Since national sovereignty is not “for sale”, the Principality of Sealand used the term “transfer” rather than “sale”.
In response to this, Sweden’s “Pirate Bay”, which operates a BitTorrent search site, made a bid for acquisition, but was rejected by the Principality of Sealand.gave upIt says.
■ “It’s not a joke, it’s 100% serious,” said the second Duke of Sealand.
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The Principality of Sealand also handles online shopping, and the most popular items are titles of the country’s nobility. “Lord” costs £30 (approximately 5,000 yen), “Earl” costs £200 (approximately 32,000 yen), and “Duke” costs £500 (approximately 80,000 yen).are selling。
In November 2006, when it was featured on Fuji TV’s variety program “The Best House 123”, Mr. Kiyoshi Nishikawa purchased the title and became “Lord Nishikawa”.is becoming。
The Principality of Sealand was attracting attention in this way, but its founder, Prince Roy Bates, died on October 9, 2012 at the age of 91. On the same day, Prince Michael Bates, who had been acting as “regent”, succeeded his father as the second Duke of Sealand.
Prince Michael, who usually runs a fishery on the coast of Essex.he in 2016NBC Newssaid in an interview:
“The smallest independent country in the world. For the last 50 years we have been completely independent and free from the British. No jokes, 100% serious.”
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