Evening star., 1950-05-07
Gaming Ship Anchors
Off Colonial Beach,
Complete With Bar
Special Dispaieh 10 The Star


A gambling ship dropped anchor
offshore here today and O race
Immediately got underway to open
slot machine and liquor establish
ments on pierheads before the
vessel begins operations.
Mayor Norman F. Brewington
admitted town officials were help
less to prevent the ship from
opening.
THE community doesn't want
the ship around at ALL" he said,
"but we have explored every way
we know and there doesn't seem
to be a thing in the world we can
do about it,"
He added he had been told the
boat would delay operations for a
few days until certain matters"
are clarified.
The 100-foot Pleasure Island
anchored about 300 yards of the
center the mile-long beach. Two
tugs towed the vessel here from
Old Point Comfort.
Carpenters and painters were
busy on the ships two decks. A
27-foot bar and rows of slot ma
chimes viii loccupy the main deck.
The upper deck will be used as
q dance floor.
Cocktail tables and beach UNI
brellas will be placed near closed
compartment which will house
piano and juke box.
Liquor by the drink and gam
bling in any form run counter to
Virginia law. But the Potomac
River is Maryland territory up to
the low water mark on the Vir-
ginia side and such activities are
permitted in Charles County,
across the river.
License Application on File.
Frank Tins, Newport News,
head of the corporation which
owns the boat, told the mayor
he had received a license from
Charles County to sell whisky
and beer by the drink aboard the
ship and to operate slot machines.
Gan application for the
Pleasure island liquor license
is on file with the Charles
County Circuit Court clerk.
The applicants name was listed
as William E. Hitch of Indian
Head. Circuit Court Clerk
Patrick c. Mudd said the Ii
cense will be issued in about two
weeks if there are no protestsD
Mr.. Tins asked the mayor for
permission to operate water taxi
service between Colonial Beach
and the ship, but the mayor said
he couldn't give such permission
without the town councils ap-
proval.
The Pleasure Island was brought
here after the town council on
April Is rejected bids for lease of
the municipal wharf for gambling
purposes. Owners of the vessel
had offered the town 81 900 a sea-
son for the privilege of mooring at
the end Of the pier.
More Piers Being Built.
Several piers have been built in
recent years and house slot ma
chimes at the extreme end-con-
sidered to be over Maryland
waters. More piers are being built.
Meanwhile, a new building on
the Little Steel Pier" at the
foot of Colonial avenue, the main
road leading into town, had eight
"one-armed bandits" and two
console machines ready for play
tonight. 1t is not equipped with
q bar.
At Little Reno" pier a few
yards south. workmen were rush.
ing completion of 48-foot bar
and a seafood restaurant Space
was being cleared for 80 or more
slot machines. 1t is scheduled
TO open Friday.
A liquor license for Little
Reno" has been issued by the cir
cult court clerk for Charles
County. The license was applied
for by Mrs. Hazel M. Bowie of
Welcome. The place is owned by
Delbert w. Conner and his wife,
Emmagine.
d. C. Man to Tend Bar.
The couple, who operate the
Ambassador Hotel here, said they
would employ Washington bar
tender.
Two other pier head buildings
are receiving finishing touches and
q total of 100 or more slot ma
chimes are expected to jingle well
In advance of the usual May 80
opening day.
One pier has a break in it tc
indicate where Maryland juris-
diction begins. Three others have
white lines to mark State borders
On shore between Little Reno
and another pier head building
close by, is a large structure on
which sign urges play bingo.'
Bingo is illegal in Virginia. Resi-
dents say the game has operated
here nevertheless since anyone
can remember"
1--WE intend to miss none of the
early cash." slot machine and liq-
uor operators said. They claimed
that many summer visitors often
come to the town on weekends
before Decoration Day.