BOOZE, BULLETS, AND THE COASTIES: RUMRUNNERS AT WAR!

摘要

An example of a typical arrest made by the Coast Guard in southern waters occurred in 1925, when the 75-footer CG-249 was patrolling the Florida Keys searching for rumrunners. The patrol boat cut its engines and drifted off the coast of Gun Key one night, waiting for the sounds of approaching engines. The patience of the patrol boat's crew was soon rewarded. As a brilliant moon lit the evening sea, the silhouette of the 30-foot motorboat V-13574 was seen slicing its way toward Miami. Boatswain Harry Ball, commanding the CG-249, ordered the patrol boat's searchlight aimed at the rumrunner. Boatswain Ball signaled the motorboat to stop while keeping his target illuminated in the beam of the searchlight. The crew on board the motorboat ignored the command to stop and began throwing sacks of liquor into the sea, hoping to destroy the incriminating evidence. Ball then ordered a crew member to fire a rifle at the rumrunner. When this failed to stop the bootlegger, the CG-249's one-pounder began firing at the motorboat. After several near misses, the crew on board the motorboat decided to surrender. On board the V-13574 were 90 burlap sacks of whiskey and three male crew members ages 55,30, and twelve. They were arrested and taken to the Coast Guard base in Miami for processing.