"At 10:30
a.m., November 13, the CG-254, Boatswain (T) L.H. Williams, Officer-in-charge,
while on patrol off Cochies [sic] Prietos, Santa Cruz Island,
sighted the fast motor-boat "A-1370", powered with two 300 H.P.
Sterling engines and known as the "GREY GHOST". This boat was
about 1600 yards distant when sighted and the CG-254 gave chase
at once, firing one bland one-pounder and two service charges
across her bow. The "A-1370" failed to heave-to and it was then
apparent to the Officer-in-charge, CG-254, that she was loaded
with contraband and endeavoring to escape. The Officer-in-charge
fired 59 rounds of one-pounders making six direct hits, one through
her pilot house and another at her starboard waterline, doing
considerable damage and partially disabling the "A-1370". At the
same time Mo.M.M.2c Edward O. Caliouette manned the machine gun
from the top of the pilot-house, expending ten magazines and making
numerous hits. The "A-1370" was now disabled to such an extent
that it headed for the Island to avoid sinking and was run ashore
at 10:50 a.m. on a rocky beach about one and one-half miles east
of Valley Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island.
The Officer-in-charge,
CG-254, immediately lowered the dinghy and boarded the rum-runner.
A moderate surf was running at the time and the rum-runner was
swamped and partially submerged. It was ascertained that the "A-1370"
was loaded with approximately two hundred (200) sacks of imported
whiskey, two of which were removed and placed aboard the CG-254
for evidence of violation of Section 593-A, Tariff Act of 1922.
Near the wreck two oak half-barrels (about twenty gallons each)
of liquor were found floating and they were also placed aboard
the CG-254. Morris & Lima
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