British Schooner Sunk

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6868, 25 March 1929, Page 6

British Schooner Sunk

By American Coastguard After Running Fight SUSPECTED OF* SMUGGLING Aust. Press Assn.—United Service. Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. NEW YORK, March 23. News from New Orleans states that the British auxiliary schooner “I’m Alone” suspected of being a contraband carrier was sunk off tie coast in a battle with coastguard craft. One of the crew was killed or drowned. Serious Complications May ; Follow BRITISH AMBASSADOR BUSY Received Monday, 1 a.un NEW YORK, March 23. The New York Times’ Washington correspondent says serious complications with Britain are a strong probability as a result of the sinking of the British schooner “I’m Alone.” j Sir Esme Howard, British Ambassador, called on the State Department to-day and told Assistant Secretary Castle that if tho facts were as reported in the press it might prove a serious case. Tho sinking is without precedent in the long record of tho efforts of the coastguard to enforce the prohibition laws. The outcome of tho case will be influenced by whether the vessel was within the twelve-mile territorial limit. Coastguard officials expressed tho certainty that the ship was within territorial waters but other official circles frankly express doubt upon this point. Admiral Bullard, in charge of the coast guards declared the vessel was sunk after she had put up resistance and he contends the guardsmen were well within their rights in sinking the ship. They would be backed to the limit by llis office. Admiral Bullard said the vessel was a ‘/notorious rum runner. ’ ’ It is recognised hero. that the incident may raise the question in London of continuing tho, ship liquor treaty. Official details concerning the incident are lacking. A press report today declared the “I’m Alone’s” crow wero being brought back in irons. .

NOTORIOUS SMUGGLER POK FIVE YEARS. Received Midnight. WASHINGTON, March 23. Sir Esmc Howard (British Ambassador) called up the State ( Department officials on Saturday in, connection with the sinking of tho British auxiliary schooner “I’m Alone,” of Belize, British Honduras, as a suspected rumrunner. The Ambassador made no representations to the State Department, but intimated'that if the fTesh reports were true tho matter might be seriously considered. \ Tho Department has asked the coastguard for further information. Meanwhile Admiral F. C. Bullard, Commander of the Coastguard, declared the ship was a notorious smuggler with a record of nearly five years. , The Admiral said the “I’m Alone” cleared from .RoMa" V' fl ' a r"' l liquor ostensibly destined for the Bermudas. On March 2isc., tUo cutter Walcott saw her eight miles off the Louisiana coast, estimated by the coastguard at 500 miles off her proper course. The pursuit began, the Walcott radioing for assistanco as the “I’m Alone” was fast. 1 Washington headquarters ordered the coastguard at Momile to send every available cutter. Tho Dexter joined the hunt, hailed the “I’m Alone,” and when she refused to stop, sank her. The Admiral *aid the failure of the skipper to stop was entire justification of the action taken. 1 A paragraph in the New Orleans Flag says tho Federal authorities are waiting tho arrival of the Dexter to start investigations into the sinking of the “I’m Alone h in one of the deepest spots in the Gulf of Mexico, 200 miles from the Louisiana coast and 150 miles from Yucatan. The United States Attorney, Edward Talbot, expressed the opinion that the stiff resistance of the crew indicated the presence of a cargo of aliens who were probably drowned, but the coastguard officers do not credit this, saying sho was probably carrying only liquor and narcotics. If the chase started within the twelve-milo limit tho officials said the guardsmen were within their rights. The cutter is bearing the crew in irons and the body of tho negro seaman who was drowned in tho rush for the lifeboats.