Coast Guard career USS Wainwright (DD-62)

wainwright in coast guard service, c. 1924–33

on 17 january 1920, prohibition instituted law in united states. soon, smuggling of alcoholic beverages along coastlines of united states became widespread , blatant. treasury department determined united states coast guard did not have ships constitute successful patrol. cope problem, president calvin coolidge in 1924 authorized transfer navy coast guard of twenty old destroyers in reserve , out of commission. wainwright activated , acquired coast guard on 2 april 1926, part of second group of 5 augment original twenty.

wainwright moved boston on 22 may , remained there until 27 july when got underway connecticut coast. reached new london, 2 days later; and, on 30th, commissioned coast guard. warship retained name while serving coast guard s rum patrol suppress illegal importation of alcoholic beverages. served @ new london summer of 1926 until 1929. on 4 january 1929, headed south charleston, south carolina, whence conducted gunnery practice until 4 february when returned north boston. in january 1930, headed south again gunnery practice time @ st. petersburg, florida. during each of 2 succeeding years—in january 1931 , late in march 1932—she returned st. petersburg month of target practice , afterward resumed duties along new england coast.

in may 1933, permanent duty station changed new york, , reported there @ end of first week in june. after summer of normal operations, warship began target practice @ hampton roads, on 7 september.