The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-09
The E1sheEy Squadron.
OyYICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE OPERATIONS OF FEE


[Irom the Washington Union, Oct g.
Commodore shubrick returned on "Wednesday TO this
Suy for the protection Of American fishermen on the
eastern coast Of the United States and British North
America.
Notices have from time to time appeared in the papers
of the movements and operations Of this little squadron
but il is due to the department which originated and in
structed those movements and TO the ocers who exc
euted them to notice in single article the services which
Complaints hs wing appeared several papers that
citizens engaged the fisheries had been interrupted in
their pursuits, and driven by British cruisers, from
grounds which they entitled TO fish, 1t was deter
mined by the President to send force sufficient TO protect
them their lawful pursuits and At the time to
that they confined themselves 70 the limits to which they
The limited means at the disposal Of the department.
distant stations difficult for the Secretary
OF the Navy to organize force for this purpose. Tho
Princeton diverted from other Services The Fulton and
Cyane withdrawn from the home squadron the Decatur
FRI the African squadron and the whole placed under
the command Of Commodore shubrick Tor this special
. service. 'rt -
The instructions of the Commodore were issued on the
18th of July. He left Washington the l5h and after
making his preliminary arrangements, sailed from
Portsmouth, New Hampshire on the oath, with the
Princeton Decatur, and Futon-the Cyane not having
yet reached that port from Pensacola.
The Princeton visited Portland and Eastport and the
purpose of gathering information from the collectors and
persons engaged directly In the business Of fishing in
latior to the reports already alluded TO-
From Eastport the Princeton proceeded to halifax for
the purpose Of aording the Commodore opportunity
10 confer with Vice Admiral Sir George Seymour
mandng the naval forces OF England on the North Amer
station. relative to matter of muh impo lance
TO the peace of the two countries The Fulton followed
the Princeton to HAL fax and desp.t bed from that
place 10 Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with such informa
ton as had been collected for the depar tment.
The Decatur left the harbor of Portsmouth in company
with the other vessels but Immediately detached
with instructions to along the coast Of Nova Scotia
pass through the straits Of Canso, visit the Magdaleu
snd Pass through the strait it Of Rel Isle and down on
the coast of Labrador as ia, rs the advanced season
would admit and returning to visit ST. Johns. New
fcundland and then to again into the Gulf OF St Law
renee all of which was accomplished by Commander
Whittle with accuracy and promptness.
Leaving HALIFAX the Princeton along the coast OF
Nova Scotia 10 Canso passed through the strait anchor
ing At the most irequented ports, and communicating
With such American vessels as were met with thence to
Pictou, in Nova Scotia thence to Charotteown, the
capital Of Prince Edward Island and to Georgetown in
the same island thence by the Magdalen Islands and up
Canada, passing the mouths of the bays OF Neramch
Caleur and Mall then down the Gull again by the Mag
around Cape St. Lawrence and Cape Breton TO Sydney
from sydney again along the coast Of Nova Scotia around
Cope sbe and striking the coast of the United States at
Petit Aenan Maine entered the Bay OF Fundy to st.
John, New Brunswick, ard thence to Portsmouth, New
Hsmp,hire, again.
The other vessels actively employed The Full
| on Lieut.. Commanding Watson, passed over the samt
route the Princeton besides doing much detached
vice. which her great speed and the energy Of her com
mander enabled her to effect
The Cyane, under instructions left for Commander Hol
Inns at Portsmouth, followed the other vessels touching
the strait of Canso to the Nagdaen islands and
to Portsmouth on the day with the Princeton ant
I Fulton.
An examination Of map Of the provinces will show
that this little squadron has unfurled the stars and
stripes at all the most frequented fishing grounds and in
places where flag had before been borne by
national vessel and that the most extended opportunities
have b. afforded to any having complaint to make
to bring his grievance before competent authority
single case Of detention came to the knowledge Of
the commander Of the squadron and that promptly
inquired into at Cbarloeown where the fishing schoon
sent and tried. 1t found that the vessel
taken in fragrant violation of the article OF the
ty of 1878, and liberated after having been beed
the written Acknowledgement of the master that he
was taken, and on his agreement to pay small
expense incurred In the suit. This ia the plain
nshed story Of the starlight Captain McDonAld OF
Gloucester, which has been grossly exaggerated in
the newspapers and it is the only Of detention that
has occurred this year. There have been seizures
and .condemnatonsn - the public have been led to
believe by persons evidently interested in getting up
cry of excitement
The manner in which this cruise gotten up, the
promptness of the department. and the energy OF the Off
in command, will think bear avora bile compari
With anything that has been done by navy. NJ
appreciates ITS services than do time
even in its palpi4-stsxss ffa services perf0rned b.
the eastern squadron, under Commodore Shubrick, /
another assurance, added to the many already on re-
cord, that the navy viii always be found up s work