LIQUOR SHIP PIRATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18763, 17 July 1924, Page 9

LIQUOR SHIP PIRATES.

SMUGGLERS VICTIMISED.

DARING RAIDS ACCOMPLISHED.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 10.S p.m.) NEW YORK, July 15.

Prohibition officials have been investigating tho attacks on liquor-laden ships by piratical rum-runners. They have issued a report which discloses the; existence of buccaneering bands as daring and as picturesque as the sea rovers of olden times.

The report states that 40 pirates recently boarded a French steamer and escaped with 15,000 cases of liquor. The crew were bound at the point of the pistol and confined below deck. The pirates left 1200 cases of liquor aboard in order to prevent the ship's company from taking lier into port to tell their troubles. Thus the pirates used the Ships Infraction Law to gain time themselves.

Two days later the pirates looted another ship which was anchored in "Rum Row." This time they made off with 9000 cases of liqnor.

Government patrols have captured a pirate ship. She is admittedly the finest and fastest in these waters. She is elaborately equipped with handcuffs, rifles, pistols, knives and clubs.

The vessel is driven by triple aeroplane motors which assure her a speed of 40 miles an hour.

Officials state that the pirate crews arc simply middlemen. They seize liquor cargoes and transfer them into "customer" ships. The pirates, however, are clearly not concerned with the smuggling of liquor into the United States.