The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-06-04
WARLIKE PREPARATIONS.
UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN YES
Sells ARMING.

The Situation Growiny Serious 4 Nee
York Schooner Sails for the Bay Of Fun-
dy Lo adcd ,ciA Cannon and Firearms
BosToN Mass, May 2O.--Therc has
been somo excitement along the water front
over the report that fishing schooner had
been arming in this harbor 1t is reported
that the schooner Augusta Horrick, Capt.
William +. Herrick, left New York four
days ago on fishing trip to tho Bay Of
Fundy. Hearing of the seizure of the
Portland schooner by the Canadians, the
owners of tho vessel decided that somo-
thing must be done to protect their prop
erty. The Herrick accordingly put into
Boston harbor, and her captin came ashore
He Immediately went to gun store nca:
the wharf and purchased two 36-inch yacht
guns, which were delivered on board, to-
gether with large amount of ammunition
and small arms
The schooner then headed down the bay
on her voyage to the fishing waters along
the Canadian shore. The two yacht guns
cost $500 each and will penetrate steel ar
NOR half inch thick at distance of a mile.
The clerk of the gun store, where the
purchase is said to have been made, SAYS
he asked the captain what he proposed to
do with the weapons, and the latter replied
am going a-fshing in tho Bay of Fuudy
and l don't propose to have any cheap
Canadian pirate seizing my schooner. 1t
is pretty state of affairs whea Yankee
sooner is confiscated for going into a for
eign port when she has papers that allow
her to do SO. The British government has
twice insulted America. With what re-
suit? The administration has done moth
ing. No word of any kind has been sent
to the owners Of tho conGscatcd vessels.
There is evidently no redress for them.
Ifthe government will not help US we must
defend ourselves. 1 have on board Van.
kee crew from Maine and Massachusetts,
and they are men whose courage is un.
doubted. They said to me Captain, 60
ashore and get us guns. We will 80 to the
Bay of Fundy aud if we are attacked by
the Lansdowne, or any other craft that car
ries an English flag, we will show them
there is as good powder and ball in Boston
as Her Majesty boats can find in any land
Would you resist an attempt made to
seize your schooner asked the clerk.
Let them try to take her and sec,' said
the skipper. we do not propose to act
on the offensive at all. We do not want
to have trouble with the English people,
but if they should try to capture Our
schooner as they have the other two they
will find there will bo blows to take and
blows to give
The Captain was intensely in earnest
said the clerk Il never saw man who
meant what he said more than hc did
He patted the two guns fondly and then
left the store. The cannon were delivered
! at once.
will they prove servicable if put into
use ? was asked.
'Well,' said the clerk, If tho Portland
schooner had been in charge of this cap
tain and crew she would not have been ia
ken so easily.
With his arms aboard, the skipper clear
ed to sea before daybreak. The Herrick
is one of the fastest Datticst sailers in the
whole Bank fleet, and as stiff sou wester
was blowing at the time and she is good for
at least twelve knots an hour before the
wind, pursuit is out Of the question.
The guns he bought carry six-pound
steel chained shot inches long by inches
thick, and will penetrate half-inch iron
with six-inch backing of wood Their
range is good mile, so that the Herrick's
guns will carry as far as the Lansdowne's
Advices from Portland are to the effect
that the excitement there over the seizure
Of American fishing vessels continues.
will the Portland vessels be armed in
accordance with the resolution adopted
yesterday? was asked Of prominent owner
Yes
And an attempt at seizure will be resisted?
Yes; we shall protect ourselves.