Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-27
WATERMELON RIDERS
OF PENNSGROVE FALL
UPON RUM SHIP UNO
Floating Saloon, Apparently Be-
yond Laws Reach, Sells
Drinks to Thirsty Army
of Powdermakers
DRY ELEMENT AROUSED
BIZ a stnn Corrcsrondent

PENNSGROVE, N j., May 27.-Ahoat
in the Delaware river, visible to the naked
eye of any thirsty gentleman standing on
the shores of this picturesque town is the
good ship Uno. Six old empty, dust-covered
demljohns stand on top of each other on
her forward upper deck. They are the
Uno's advertisement. Powder-workers say
that a brilliantly Illuminated sign couldn't
explain better why the Uno is afoat today
than those six liquor-stained, straw-bound
demijohns
The Uno, commanded by Skipper Frank
Jones, of wilmington, Del, at one time was
a fishing smack used by Philadelphia and
Wilmington fishermen, but has been trans
formed into floating cafe" Closets
where hooks lines and sinkers were once
kept now contain wines, bottles of brandy,
whiskey and bottled beer
Anything from bottle of beer to a top
o. the mornin'' cocktail served here" is
the slogan of the deckhands when not busy
helping to navigate the craft.
Ceremonies or speeches didn't mark the
official launching of the Uno. She ap-
peared in Delaware waters about a fort
night ago. And ii didn't require any spe-
cial announcement to have 1t generally
known that the Uno was near the shores of
Pennsgrove. Everybody in Pennsgrove and
at Carney's Point knows all about the Uno
and her bottled goods. The dry forces of
this place are indignant. They are plan
ming to ask the Government to ascertain
whether the Uno has right to sell her
liauid merchandise to those who daily visit
the craft in a river jitney.'
A POPULAR RESORT.
Munition workers who make powder for
the Allies at Carney's Point crowd aboard
the Uno daily. They all get n cheerful
welcome The arrivals come in the river
jitneys." AS they board the quondam fish
ing smack Skipper Jones shouts to the deck
hand-waiters below:
customers on board"
Cash registers as yet haven't been in
stalled on the Uno. Skipper Jones says
that his seafaring men are true and honest
He says he can trace their career back
many years.
Just who the proprietors of the Uno are
is a mystery. 1t is said that the idea OF
selling liquor on the Uno TO the residents
of this dry town was originated by two
enterprislng young men who live in VIII
| mington.
The Uno has a United States Govern
| ment license TO sell liquor on the river, but
| isn't permitted to make any sales while
| the craft is anchored or tied TO a pier
Therefore. she is compelled to keep her
| distance.
The liquor is kept in a sx-by-eight closet
| There is no bar. Beer and whisky are
served on an old dark brown table in the
lower cabin. on each side are long benches
"Rough Rider Dam" who served in the
| Spansh-American war and now helps tC
pack powder which is shipped to England
| and Russia, has the distinction of being the
4
| the Uno, He lives at Carney's Point, TC
| get aboard the Uno, Rough Rider Dan
had to do what all others do.
Heading a delegation of six friends
Rough Rider Dan" reached Pennsgrove
They chartered a jitney in the central part
| of the town and rode about mile alone
the Jersey shore. Then they walked to this
pier and hired one of those river jitneys'
| which take you to the uno for rs cents ol
as much more or less as you feel like Civ
ing the marine iitneur.
ROUGH RIDER SCoLDED.
As soon as Rough Rider Dan" go
| aboard the ship he heard a middle-ageC
man. who works at Plant No, 2 at Carneyl
| Point, Teprimanded by the chief deckhand
| waiter, The man reprimaned was Con
| Billings, who comes from somewhere il
| South Dakota II seems that Con" didn'
| want TO disturb the walters who We're eat
ing their late breakfast, so he decided t
| serve himself
| NIX on that stuff; only the operator il
allowed to pour out of the bottle" said thu
| chief deckhand-waiter
While two young men were arguing abou
/ the date when John l.. Sullivan lost thu
| championship to James j. Corbett, who's
| name now appears in vaudeville advertise
ments Harry Ballas came aboard.
Just came aboard to sample some o
your stun" said Ballas
We are not handing out any sample
today" snorted one Of the walters
Ballas took a drink He excused him
self, saying he was In a hurry, and beside
the man operating the river jitney' wa
shouting to him to get on the Unoi quiel
because he had other men waiting for hin
at one OF the piers which line the water
i front at PennsgToye.
Captain Jones says business Is good. III
| says he feels sure the dry element IN Penns
| grove won't pay any attention 10 him be
cause he Is going to maintain order Will
drinks are being poured out and while the.
are being drunk.
4 am a man who believes IL peace an
no trouble. and any gent who Is thirst
and Who knows how 70 behave himself cal
come aboard tne una." sald Captain Jouel