RUM-RUNNER HERO

Evening Star, Issue 19776, 28 January 1928, Page 11

RUM-RUNNER HERO

A petition is being sent by _ the people of Oregon to President Coolidge, asking for the release of Captain Robert Pamphlett, of Vancouver (8.C.), who has surrendered himself to serve a sentence of two years, which, with a fine of £2,000, was the punishment meted out to him when he was captured, with his rum-running ship, the Pescawho, after coming into territorial waters, in answer to an 5.0.5., and saving the crew of the wrecked American vessel, the s.s. Caoba. Captrsin Pamphlett has asked one favor of the people of America before going to prison. “Perhaps,” he said, “they via let me run the ferry to and from M'Neil’s Island prison. I shall have plenty of time to read ‘ Sinbad the Sailor.’ ” Bound south, out of-Vancouver, with a cargo of liquor, he was outside the territorial limit, when, in answer to the Caoba’s call, ho ordered the helm hard to starboard, came ,inside the territorial limit, drew alongside the Caoba, took off her crew just as she went down, and was later apprehended by the fastest, of the United States coastguard _ fleet on the Pacific Coast, the Alonqnin. When he was sentenced the Federal Court gave him parole to visit Vancouver, and put his affairs in order, trusting him to return on November 28, which he did. When he gave himself up, and he was searched, they found on him a gold watch inscribed:— “Captain Robert Pamphlett, a true sailor, in grateful recognition of his action in rescuing the crew of our s.s. Caoba at sea, February 3, 1925. Sudden and Christensen.”

Vancouver people are asking the Prijne Minister, Mr Mackenzie King, to interest himself on behalf of Captain Pamphlett.