For sale: the world’s smallest country, complete with its own passports, currency, stamps and national football team. Uninterrupted sea views and complete privacy assured. Oh, and more wind than you will ever want. Offers in the region of eight-digit sums considered.

After 40 years, the owners of the Principality of Sealand have put it on the market. They hope that investors will be lured by the island’s setting and its status as a tax haven.

But it is not exactly a dream hideaway. Sealand, which was built as a wartime fort called Roughs Tower in 1941, is a 550 sq m (5,920 sq ft) steel platform perched on two concrete towers. Accessible only by helicopter and boat, it sits seven miles (11km) off the coast of Harwich in Essex.

Its living accommodation is less than palatial — long, low buildings made of steel through which the sound of generators reverberates constantly. One American visitor described it as “unbelievably ugly”.

What it lacks in charm and climate it makes up for in a history that includes raiders, hand-to-hand fighting and a kidnapping.

In September 1967 Paddy Roy Bates, a former English major, settled there with his family. He proclaimed the island his own state and gave himself the title of prince.

A year later the Royal Navy tried to evict him. The self- professed Roy of Sealand saw them off with warning shots fired from the fort.

A judge ruled that Sealand lay beyond the three-mile limit of Britain’s territorial waters and was, therefore, outside government control.

Seven years later Prince Roy introduced a constitution and, later, a flag, a national anthem and gold and silver Sealand dollars. Finally, passports were issued to people deemed to have promoted the interests of Sealand.

In 1978 Dutch and German businessmen came to discuss a business deal and, while there, kidnapped Prince Roy’s son and took Sealand by force. He was freed in a counter-attack from the air and Prince Roy held the invaders as prisoners of war. Germany asked Britain to intervene but was told that the fortress was beyond British jurisdiction. Prince Roy eventually released the men.

Life on Sealand is now much calmer and Prince Michael of Sealand, who has been in charge since poor health led his father to hand over the reins in 1999, spends most of his time on the mainland.

Prince Michael, 54, told The Times: “We have owned the island for 40 years now and my father is 85. Perhaps it is time for some rejuvenation. Astronomical figures have been mentioned but we will just see what comes forward.”

A life on the ocean wave

Sealand has declared itself a free-trade zone and no customs duties or gaming restrictions are imposed

Source: sealandgov.org

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