A view of Ferry Inn in 1840 Jamaica

In the 1840's, George’s father gave him start up capital to purchase a ship, which he began using to transport cargo between North and South America. Shortly after he purchased two additional ships to develop his new business venture in the West Indies including Cuba where a revolution was in high gear. He realised that the island would be ideal to undertake a lucrative gun-trading ring. While he did manage to make respectable profits from trading guns, he also fell in trouble with the law for his activities.