Off-Shore Gambling Ships - the Battle of Santa Monica Bay

In the late 1920s, gambling ships started appearing off the coast of Santa Monica, outside California's jurisdictional limits. Although it was illegal to conduct a gambling operation in California, the state’s jurisdiction only extended three miles offshore. There was nothing in Federal law that forbid gambling, so operators of floating gambling casinos merely had to anchor their gambling ships just outside the three mile limit. 

To get to the gambling boats, you would take a water taxi from here at the Santa Monica Pier, out to sea where the floating casinos were anchored. 

For people during the Depression, this was a chance to have a night on the town; maybe a little bit of danger, some risk and maybe a chance to win some money. It was a bit of an escape, and they became wildly popular.

In 1938, notorious gangster Tony Cornero launched his own gambling ship, the S.S. Rex, which offered a  positive experience, free food, and transportation to and from the ships.

Numerous attempts were made to shut down the operations of these ships, but gambling ship operators managed to fight off most such attempts in court.

Finally the government won in court and law enforcement seized all gambling ships except Tony’s,  the S.S. Rex.

Refusing to surrender, Tony barricades his ship up, and whenever any of the government agents tried to get close, Tony’s men let loose on the police with high-power water cannons

This incident became known as the Battle of Santa Monica Bay; it captivated the Southland and lasted for 10 days. No shots were fired, but Tony knew he would not escape this; he was basically surrounded. Finally Tony surrenders to the authorities claiming he was not surrendering but needed a haircut and was going ashore.