New Britain herald., 1922-06-26
THREE SHIPS TAKEN;
 FORTUNE IN LIQUOR
1S Arrested and S24,000 in Bail
 Immediately Given

New York, June 26-Three fishing valued at more than s20o,O00, bootleg prices, were seized early yesterday by customs officers after chase of near ly mile from the East river to the upper bay. The capture was made in the height of the thunderstorm which the rum runners tried to use as cloak for their operations
 An astonishing feature of the case was the promptness and manner in which the prisoners were bailed out after being taken to the United States barge office. Before the prisoners had been in the barge office more than an hour representative of the New Am- sterdam Surety company appeared and said his concern was ready to furnish bond for all of the men. Soon afterward, United States Commis- sioner S. M Hitchcock appeared in response to a telephone call which the customs men said had not been made from their office.
 The men were released for appear ance at 9:3o this morning at the barge office, where they will be given an ex- animation by the law division of the custom house. They will then be ar raigned before Commissioner Hitch- cock in the federal building.
 Admits Running Fleet.
 The man who admitted he was in charge of the small fleet gave his name as Alfred Anderson of 27 Dover Sfraof PnSfnn Ia 1,oll ;,, ooo bail. George Murray of 545 Forty ninth street, South Brooklyn, who said he was a passenger on one of the vessels, was held in $3,o0O bond. Bail of the other men was fix ed at $1,ooo each, They were:
 From the fifty foot sloop Peter scrachi of East Bos- .on said to be the boats owner; Thomas Murphy, Thirty sixth street 1 md Seventh avenue, engineer and captain of the boat, and James Cof- l 'ey of the same address.
 From the thirty-six foot sloop Frank, captain, Bos- on; John Costa, engineer, Boston; John Slas. sailor. Boston. and Joseph | 3assa nti sailor Lawrence Mass.
 From the gasoline boat C-936-JoG- .ph Ventura, sailor. Lawrence, Mass; | Tony Faviola, sailor no address; Joseph Parrantoino, sailor, Boston, md Nicola Rubierierri sailor, Boston.
 The three vessels were trailed in rom the Narrows by customs men lnder Deputy Surveyor William Sanders and Special Deputy Surveyor lack McGill When the fishing craft | ,oing up the East river passed the 'ulton street fish market without topping the customs men thought heir suspicious confirmed and start d in pursuit.
 Attemped Escape Fails.
 The crews of the fishing boats ob- erved the approach of the govern nent launch and turned about, speed ng for the bay. After a chase of Iearly a mile the smacks were over lauled between the Barge office and Governors Island, and boarded. When he crews failed to give satisfactory nswers to questions they were order- d to return to the Battery.
 This maneuver almost resulted in ollson getween the Peter Metsger nd two tugs conveying car floats. AS he sloop got out of the path of a ug bound up the river, another tug 'ound downstream was not noticed nd the sloop barely escaped being rushed between the two vessels. At his time the sloop Stella attempted o escape, but was recaptured after
 short chase.
 The crews told customs officers the iquor had been taken from a seventy i've foot schooner anchored off Sandy look. Under cover of the approach I ng storm, the men said they thought | hey could get through the harbor. hey said they were to take the li- uor to Boston, but customs officers hink the 2o,ooo bottles were to be andad in New York.
 After the boats had been moored longside the Barge office dock, if vas noticed that the Peter Metsger ras leaking badly and water was be- inning to fill the hold. Hand pumps were put in operation and crew was ct to work to keep the vessel and her argo of liquor afoat
 The three boats were placed under guard of ten customs men who kept lose watch throughout the night.