PROHIBITION: 39609

The new federal ruling that no ship may enter United States territorial waters with any beverage liquor aboard went into effect on June 10.

Foreign ships already in port were not required to throw their liquor overboard—instead it was securely sealed. This happened to the Cedric and the Carmania. In the port of New York crews of vessels belonging to countries which legally require liquor rations for their seamen, continued to receive their liquor. New York Prohibition Director Canfield announced that he had received a telegram from Commissioner Haynes that the United States Public Health Service would issue medicinal liquor permits to such ships on the assumption that since the liquor was legally required it was medicinal. Contradictory reports were issued in Washington. British steamships, it was announced, will sail westward henceforward with only half their ordinary cargo of liquors, which will all be disposed of before reaching the threemile limit. A half cargo of liquor for the Majestic, for example, consists of 30,000 bottles of ale, 675 quarts of champagne, 375 quarts of wine, 1,500 bottles of whisky, brandy and gin, and 150 bottles of liqueurs. One report has it that British companies are asking their future passengers to specify in advance how much liquor they will require on the trip to America.

Said one steamship official: “We have been asked to purchase single bottles of liquors, of which we never heard. To arrange for the supply of cocktails requested would entail the stocking of a vast quantity of alcoholic materials we should never get rid of. One woman has ordered five bottles of stout, and another half a bottle of gin. On the other hand, a well-known millionaire, who is the leader of a considerable party, has ordered ten cases of magnums of champagne. But the great demand is for whisky. Scotch and Irish, in that order of preference!”