The Bloody Tubs or Blood Tubs were a 19th-century gang of opportunistic street thugs in Baltimore, Maryland, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,[1] who worked primarily for Nativist Know Nothing politicians to commit election fraud.

Other sources claim it was derived from the "bloody oaths" members took upon joining the gang.

The gang's violent tactics included blocking voting booths and attacking opposing voters, discouraging many people from the polls altogether.

[3] During the presidential election of 1860, the Blood Tubs reportedly planned to abduct, or possibly assassinate, President-elect Abraham Lincoln when he visited Baltimore.

After the infamous Pratt Street Riot, the Blood Tubs could be seen sailing up and down the harbor flying U.S.