The Portland daily press., 1886-08-07
CANADIAN OUTRAGE
Perpetrated Against the Gloucester
MackereI Seiner. Rather.

HALIFAX, Aug. 6.-ConSul General Phelan
is highly indignant at the alleged outrage
perpetrated on the Gloucester mackerel selner
Rather, Captain Cunningham, in Shelburne
harbor He has received the following Off
cial confirmation of the story telegraphed
last night:
sHELBURE, Aug. 5.
To U. s. Consul General Pheldn:
The Gloucester schooner Ratter, Capt Cunning
ham. with 450 barrels mackerel, from North Bay,
came into Shelburne harbor on the evening OF
August Sd. The captain of the cruiser Terror
sent boats crew with officer Bennett on noafo.
shelter. Cunningham was ordered TO report az
the Shelburne custom house, and two OF the cut
ter's crew were left on board. Shortly after Ben
nett's return to the Terror signal was given from
the Rather for assistance from the Terror, when
Bennett returned and found the haIseTs crew y
dered Cunningham to drop anchor or there would
be trouble. The anchor was dropped and Bennett
accompanied Cunningham at 8 yesterday morning
to report to Customs Officer Atwood from whom
obtained this information, after which Cunning
ham Immediately set SAIL
Consular Agent.
Consul Phelan says this is the most flag
rant and objectionable outrage yet perpetra
ted on an american vessel in friendly port
The Rather was loaded down to the gunwales
with mackerel. A heavy storm was raging.
The vessel ran into the mouth OF Shelburne
harbor for shelter until the worst of the storm
was over. She was at least ten miles from
the custom house and had no lntentlOn Oh re-
naming after the fury of the storm had
abated. Hardly had she dropped anchor un-
til she was boarded by officious officers from
a Canadian cruiser, lying in port. and told to
report to the customs. Without further ado
is treated as pirate, and an armed guard
left on board of her. When Capt. Cunning
ham found himself treated in such an insult
ing manner, in the port of aprofessed friend
ly nation, is it any wonder that he preferred
to risk the dangers of the storm to such treat
ment in Canadian port, and Immediately
decided to proceed on his voyage. What
then? "he armed guard not only refuse to
leave, but intimidate the American crew by
promiscuously firing their revolyers, and OBJ
tanning the aid of additional armed men
from the Terror, who take possession OF the
American vessel, forcibly detain her in port,
and compel the captain to go all the way to
Shelburne to report. The Herald despatch
made fun of this case. But to my mind 1t is
the most serious proceeding that has yet oc--
Cured during the whole trouble, and IL not
repudiated by the Canadian government is
likely to engender very bitter feeling.
The Charges to Be Prosecuted.
OTTAWA, Aug. Sit is understood that
the government will prosecute the owners OF
the Ellen M. Doughty and other American
fishing vessels seized by Canadian cruisers,
on the same charge as that made out several
wears ago, in the cases of the White FaWn
and j. P. Nickerson. twill be remembered
that they came into port for other. purposes
than those specified in the treaty of 1918, and
upon that plea will also be Incorporated that
infraction of the customs law.