Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="TheNickelGuy, post: 8241815, member: 20201"]1933 Santa Monica BreakwaterOcean Park HK-687So-Called DollarAluminum 38mm [ATTACH=full]1450815[/ATTACH]  [ATTACH=full]1450816[/ATTACH] The most common, the aluminum version of this medal was struck for dedication of the Breakwater off Ocean Park, Santa Monica California. The issuer and designer is unknown but it was struck by Los Angeles Rubber Stamp Co. which went out of business in the 1960s. Two dedicatory ceremonies were held, marking both beginning and completion of project, March 25, 1933, and Aug. 5, 1934, respectively. The breakwater was financed by a $690,000 municipal bond issue. The first crib, sunk March 25, 1933 amid dedication ceremonies and promptly broke in two. City panicked and abandoned plans for a concrete-crib breakwater. Finally a rock-mound type constructed of lightweight Catalina stone was completed July 6, 1934.Final dedication program included Pacific Coast and Southern California yacht regattas and nine days of boat races.Some labeled Breakwater a fiasco from start to finish. They said it is completely insufficient and unsightly. It has reshaped the beaches badly by causing uneven deposit of sand. It is now a crumbling wreck. The breakwater was built just off the Santa Monica Pier in 1933, creating a harbor for boat anchorage. Upon completion it stood 37-feet high and more than 100-feet wide at its base. It had the added effect of redistributing sand along the shore, creating the wide swath of beach north of the pier.The harbor was home to a collection of yachts, fishing boats and a cruise liner to Catalina. [ATTACH=full]1450817[/ATTACH] It was also the home base for a shuttle service to offshore gambling operations run by mobster Tony Cornero who decided to open a shipboard gaming operation off the Southern California coast. By sailing in international waters, Cornero hoped to legally run his gambling dens without interference from U.S. authorities. [ATTACH=full]1450818[/ATTACH] Cornero purchased two large ships and converted them into luxury casinos at a cost of $300,000. He named the ships the SS Rex and the SS Tango. Cornero's premier cruise ship was the SS Rex, which could accommodate over 2,000 gamblers. It carried a crew of 350, including waiters and waitresses, gourmet chefs, a full orchestra, and a squad of gunmen. Its first class dining room served French cuisine exclusively.The two ships were anchored outside the 'three mile limit' off Santa Monica and Long Beach. The wealthy of Los Angeles would take water taxis out to the ships to enjoy the gambling, shows, and restaurants. In October 1939, the Los Angeles Zoo was facing a financial crisis. Always the good citizen, Cornero offered the zoo a day's proceeds from the SS Rex.Considering that his ships were earning $300,000 a cruise, this was no idle gesture. Although zoo officials seriously considered the offer, pressure from state politicians forced them to decline it.Attorney General Earl Warren led a legal crusade to shut them down.The last to go was Cornero's flagship, the "Rex", which was raided in 1939 during what came to be known as "The Battle of Santa Monica Bay".After a three day standoff, Cornero surrendered because he "needed a haircut". Government agents boarded the "Rex" and threw all of the gambling machines and tables overboard. Warren subsequently went on to become governor of California, and ultimately Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. An amazing website about Santa Monica with much info and early images.<a href="https://waterandpower.org/museum/Early_Views_of_Santa_Monica_1_of_6.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://waterandpower.org/museum/Early_Views_of_Santa_Monica_1_of_6.html" rel="nofollow">https://waterandpower.org/museum/Early_Views_of_Santa_Monica_1_of_6.html</a>[/QUOTE]

Create my FREE Account!

Log in or Sign up

Reply to Thread

Useful Searches