The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-01-13
Rum Boats
Slip Pa S t
"Dry Navy" ="
Thousands of Cases of Liquor
Landed Despite Efforts of
Officers = Sea Rcscm-
blcs Bargain Counter.
Prices Quoted on Signs

Washington. Jan. .s.-An immedi.
ate report was demanded by prohibit
ton officials here from the New Jer.
sey headquarters concerning dis
patches printed in this mornings pa
pers describing the extensive landing
of ~nuggled liquors on the New Jer.
seys coast
Highlands. n. j., Jan. 12-tBy A. P.)
The great rum fleet of 90 vessels,
which bobbed up yesterday off Sandy
Hook, while the New York dry naval
squadron was being reorganized was
still standing off the Ambrose chan
mel light ship today, ready for busi
ness as usual.
While prohibition forces were TAX
ing to New York four small boats cap
tured last night while attempting to
land liquor from the mother ships. the
rest of the welcoming fleet of SO were
preparing TO race back and forth be-
tween the rum carriers and shore.
Hauled TO Big Cities.
Although observers ashore estimat
cd that thousands of cases had been
landed last night. the rum fleet pre-
sumably hailing from the Bahamas,
had a vast stock still to dispose of
to bidders putting out from this re-
sort and other places along the coast.
Liquor landed last night was report.
ed to have been sent by motor truck
to New York, Philadelphia. Washing
ton and other cities.
Whisky, gin, champagne and wine
all were offered for sale and keen
competition has developed among the
shippers of the rum ships.
AS the bootlegger runs along side
iB his powerboat, he scans signs
hung over the sides of the mother
ships and decides from which he will
purchase. The signs inform the bot
tie fishermen that Scotch whisky of
such-and- such brand may be had at
$i5 to $40 a case. Rye was quoted
at $35. Champagne was higher. The
sea began to take on appearances of
a bargain counter.
Flags of Many Nations.
The visiting flotilla flies the flags
u iidlioiiS dliu tnS StNNS ult
of all races. The vessels are loaded
to the gunwales with liquor.
II saw 5000 cases in one pile on
one boat" declared a grey haired
runner, who brought his boat safely
past the coast guard and revenue
craft last night. You can get any
thing you want. Cheap, too
inr ,tr
fear, despite the capture of four of
their best boats last night Thou
sands of cases moved out of the town
all night by motor truck and passenger
cars. The last left this morning in
five big motor vans-40, 900 cases.
The power boats taken last night
were the Margaret B, a cabin cruiser;
the Evelyne seaskiff; the Mamma and
Ida, a fishing power boat hailing
from Camden, Me, and an unnamed
launch, newly built and on its first
bootlegging jaunt.
Submits to Search.
Another alleged bootlegger was
chased. but jettsoned its cargo and
submitted to n search. 1t was re-
leased
One man who escaped capture last
night by jumping ashore was ready
today to take another of his boats out
to the rum fleet.
what do l care for the boat lost
last night he said, laughing. 1.-THE
pool will pay me insurance for both
boat and cargo"
lie refused to give details of the
pool. admitting, however, that there
was a powerful and wealthy runners
and all of its members
were protected against losses.