Solid Shot

The United States "prohibition navy" is rapidly undergoing evolution to fit it for the task of catching rum runners on the Atlantic. It is soon to consist of twelve vessels; four revenue cutters, the Seneca, Seminole, Gresham and Manhattan, and eight speed boats now on the ways which will act as scouts.

The revenue cutters are capable of about 15 knots, which is insufficient to catch the speedier rum runners in a tail chase, but the speed boats, capable of 30 knots, will be more than a match for the outlaws.

In addition all the ships are being armed with cannon varying from one-pounders to four-inch guns. Sanction has at last been given to fire directly on the rum runners, with solid shot, and not merely across their bows.