Film of a Rum-Runner rendezvous with the Malahat
The American Volstead Act prohibiting the sale of liquor came into force in 1920, but with little thought for smuggling prevention. Canadian and American mariners realized the potential, and began moving liquor into the US, first "rum" from the Caribbean, then whiskey, gin, wine, etc from Canada. Their system used vessels of three sizes: very large 'warehouse' ships like the Canadian schooner Malahat (5 masts, 1500 tons), intermediate transfer vessels, and fast-delivery motor boats.
Following is footage taken in 1932 by Richard Francis Heurtley Reed of Victoria BC, during his voyage on a rumrunner sailing from Victoria to the Mexican coast. The MV Hickey encounters/avoids several US Coast Guard "Cutters," rendezvous with the Malahat, and takes on 1600 cases of liquor. The crew spend time ashore on the Mexican island of San Martine, 50 miles south of Ensenada. This is the only known film taken from the deck of a rumrunner engaged in smuggling operations.
V1999:12/001.02 courtesy of Royal BC Museum, BC Archives.
Grateful acknowledgement is extended to Archive staff.
V1999:12/001.02 courtesy of Royal BC Museum, BC Archives.
Grateful acknowledgement is extended to Archive staff.
Starting in 1923, and carrying on for ten years, the Chief Skugaid operated as a transfer-smuggler of Canadian liquor from Vancouver to the Malahat and similar ships off the coasts of the United States, Mexico, and Hawaii.
Here's the story of one of the Chief's smuggling voyages, told in the ship's log, made available by the Vancouver Archives.
Here's the story of one of the Chief's smuggling voyages, told in the ship's log, made available by the Vancouver Archives.
Below: According to this entry in the government-issued form titled "Log Book...," Master (Captain) S[idney] Burridge-- Cert No. 4958-- writes that the Chief Skugaid, Official Number 133736, Gross/Net Tonnage 80.21/54.52, commenced a winter voyage on January 26,1932, from Vancouver BC.
The Nature of the Voyage or Employment is not stated. Instead, Captain Burridge merely provides the destination: Ensenada, Mexico. Ensenada is about 60 miles south of the US border and a favorite destination for rum-runners. The Chief's unnamed cargo is Canadian liquor in wooden crates or burlap bags.
The Nature of the Voyage or Employment is not stated. Instead, Captain Burridge merely provides the destination: Ensenada, Mexico. Ensenada is about 60 miles south of the US border and a favorite destination for rum-runners. The Chief's unnamed cargo is Canadian liquor in wooden crates or burlap bags.
Chief's Log Books made available for photography by the Vancouver Archives.
Below, Captain Burridge listed his crew, including second engineer Brereton Hoodspith and Norman Hall, Ordinary Seaman. "Conduct, Character, Qualifications" of the crewmen are not specified except for Norman Hall: "VG"-- "Very Good."
During the voyage, another Master and another Chief Engineer joined the crew "at sea." Below, they've added their names and details to the listings written by each of the Chief's personnel. Captain Burridge's age is 31; Second Engineer Hoodspith is youngest at 19; Cook Charles Shields is oldest at 41.
Burridge's birthplace is London; he lives at 3256 3rd Ave W, Vancouver. His previous vessel was the Rosebank, and he began his employment on the Chief Skugaid on the day of departure, 26 January 1932.
Brereton Hoodspith lives at 424 N Ingleton Ave, Burnaby [not Vancouver]; this is his "First" vessel.
A.E. Gough is only 26, but already has a Master certificate. He lives at 4748 Drummond in Vancouver's old-money Shaughnessy district. His previous vessel was the Ray Roberts, and he joined the Chief "at sea" on 3 May 1932.
Burridge's birthplace is London; he lives at 3256 3rd Ave W, Vancouver. His previous vessel was the Rosebank, and he began his employment on the Chief Skugaid on the day of departure, 26 January 1932.
Brereton Hoodspith lives at 424 N Ingleton Ave, Burnaby [not Vancouver]; this is his "First" vessel.
A.E. Gough is only 26, but already has a Master certificate. He lives at 4748 Drummond in Vancouver's old-money Shaughnessy district. His previous vessel was the Ray Roberts, and he joined the Chief "at sea" on 3 May 1932.
Below, ship's personnel signed off at the end of the voyage and confirmed their pay. The two Masters were paid "as per agreement" with the owners. Most personnel were paid for the full length of the nine-month voyage, which ended in Vancouver on 17 October 1932.
But for three men, the voyage ended "At Sea." Norman Hall, 21, left the Chief on February 13th, and Captain Burridge and Chief Engineer Frederick Sailes left on May 3rd. The cryptic reason for their departure is given as "MC"--perhaps "Medical Condition"? The handwriting appears to be Captain Burridge's.
But for three men, the voyage ended "At Sea." Norman Hall, 21, left the Chief on February 13th, and Captain Burridge and Chief Engineer Frederick Sailes left on May 3rd. The cryptic reason for their departure is given as "MC"--perhaps "Medical Condition"? The handwriting appears to be Captain Burridge's.
Below, an entry in the Log for the morning of Thursday, October 13th, describes an emergency:
"8:15AM Broke tail shaft in Moderate SE Gale. Vessel drifting in distress and in need of assistance.
"...12:30 PM Fishing Vessel Chancellor of Tacoma took us in tow for San Juan (Port Renfrew)."
These entries were written and signed by the new Master, young Captain A.E. Gough, and witnessed by the Mate, Jeoffrey Baker.
"8:15AM Broke tail shaft in Moderate SE Gale. Vessel drifting in distress and in need of assistance.
"...12:30 PM Fishing Vessel Chancellor of Tacoma took us in tow for San Juan (Port Renfrew)."
These entries were written and signed by the new Master, young Captain A.E. Gough, and witnessed by the Mate, Jeoffrey Baker.
Even with a tow by the Chancellor, there was still trouble in bad weather that night.
At 12:30AM on the morning of the 14th, Captain Gough wrote:
"Fishing vessel [the Chancellor] unable to tow us across Straits of Juan de Fuca in rough, confused sea & swell. Agreed to tow our vessel to William Head or Victoria."
At 11:30 AM, Gough writes:
"Met Ray Roberts and the Ray Roberts assisted towing...."
At 2PM "arrived William Head Quarantine Station. Let go Fishboat Chancellor and.... Proceeded to Vancouver in tow of Ray Roberts."
The emergency has ended, but the Ship's Log has more to say about personnel changes aboard the Chief Skugaid on that Mexican voyage. Please check back for updates...
At 12:30AM on the morning of the 14th, Captain Gough wrote:
"Fishing vessel [the Chancellor] unable to tow us across Straits of Juan de Fuca in rough, confused sea & swell. Agreed to tow our vessel to William Head or Victoria."
At 11:30 AM, Gough writes:
"Met Ray Roberts and the Ray Roberts assisted towing...."
At 2PM "arrived William Head Quarantine Station. Let go Fishboat Chancellor and.... Proceeded to Vancouver in tow of Ray Roberts."
The emergency has ended, but the Ship's Log has more to say about personnel changes aboard the Chief Skugaid on that Mexican voyage. Please check back for updates...
