(MARI)TIME WARP! 1924: RUMRUNNERS RESCUED BY COAST GUARD

CHASED BY CUTTER, BATTERED BY GALE, OUT OF GAS, GUARDS SAVE RUM RUNNERS

Asbury Park Press
20 Nov. 1924

Chased thru a driving hail and sleet storm by a revenue cutter, forced to throw overboard a cargo of liquor, then after having eluded capture, lost at sea when his boat ran out of gasoline and oil, and drifting for several hours in the angry water, finally forced to call his arch enemies--the Coast Guard--to rescue him, is the harrowing experience of a local bootlegger whose eventual trip to rum row on Saturday was replete with thrills.

This prominent bootlegger and an unnamed companion, whose activities in the business have made them well known along the Jersey coast, made the trip Saturday afternoon and after the chase by the revenue cutter were buffeted about by the angry waters of a heavy storm for several hours.

​The bootlegger, who prefers to have his occupation classed as "lobster fisherman," in company with another man in the same business, left this vicinity Saturday afternoon in their high-powered auto for a hiding place below Belmar where their 100-horsepower armored speed boat is docked.

The fisherman who generally accompanies the head of the local ring attended the Asbury Park-Chattle football game Saturday and did not make the trip, thus missing the harrowing experience.

The pair pulled out late in the afternoon and made a rapid run to Rum Row. At least this is the story as repeated along the local "whisky curb" where the local "lobster" fishermen congregate at night to swap experiences preparatory to starting out on the business of the night.

While the two were on the supply ship laying a large stock in anticipation of "parking" it for higher holiday prices, a light rain began to fall, during which a low mist hung over the water. Little thinking that one of the coast guard revenue cutters would soon be upon them, the pair bid farewell to the large boat and shoved off.

They were clipping along at a rapid rate when suddenly out of the mist came a booming voice:

"Halt, or we'll fire!"

"Step on it!" was the mumbled command of the leader of the pair.

The steady "put-put" of the revenue boat was heard not many yards in the rear.

​Then began the chase. Riding in elusive circles, first far out to sea, then back to shore, the chase kept up for several hours, but always the runners could hear the steady humming of the motor of the government craft. Then their engine suddenly started to miss.

A quick look in the tank, to find that only a small quantity of gasoline remained.

"Dump the stuff, quick!" cried one.

Splash, splash, splash, over into the water went case after case.

Finally the sound of the revenue cutter was heard to grow fainter and fainter. Just when it seemed that the bootleg craft was about to fall into the hands of the revenue boat, the latter had apparently given up the chase.

Then with the pouring rain, driving sleet and howling wind, tossing them about the angry waters like a chip, the light craft was anchored. Worried by a dragging anchor, a torch was made, soaked in the remaining gasoline, and burned in the stern of the ship.

​The lookout at the Toms River station of the Coast Guard saw the light flickering thru the rain and hail and reported it. A boat was launched and a crew rowed out to ascertain the trouble.

The motorboat was about a half mile off shore and about four miles from the station. When the guards reached the side of the disabled boat and heard of the lack of gas, they again put off, rowing this time to Lavallette, where cans of oil and gas [were brought] back to the anchored motorboat. The gas was placed in the tank and the rowboat was towed to the guard station at Toms River by the bootleggers.

Fatigued from the strenuous trip, they beached their boat at the station for the night. They were chilled and cold from their long exposure to the elements and had nothing to warm them up. That is, the Coast Guards said that when they pulled up beside the disabled craft there wasn't any liquor on board.

In the meantime the "wire" had gone out to another bootlegger or "lobster fisherman" of Bradley Beach, who hastened to Toms River to bring his two friends back.

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