New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-07
VICTIMS OF THE PIRATES.
TWENTY-FIVE SUFFERERS IN ONE HOSPITAL
AN INTERSTATE QUESTION IN THE OYSTER
DREDGING oUTRAGEs OF THE CHESAPEAKE
BAY-MANY VESSELS FROM PHILADEL-
PHIA AND NEw.YoRK.
IEfxgKAP.I rug rRfBuyaI

Balnnorc, Dec. e.-Twenfy-nve miserable sDcrfs
mems Of humanity lying in tas Bay
View Hospital afflicted with diseases caused BY ex-
posure, III treatment and insufficient food, Wills st
rk at oysterdrcdging in Chesapeake Bay. The
stories of Of these men show that many Of the
drcdgngboats on which the received cruel treat
mens hall from NcwYork and Philadelphia and large
number from Virginia In several instances II has
been proved that the ncn were shipped from New
York The dedger work through the whole winter
and return TO NewYork and Phsladepbis in the spring
They ship their oysters North from points the
eastern shore Of the Bay. when hands
wanted they are obtained in NewYork on tho pro-
tence thai they will receive good pay and fair treat
ment The superintendent OF Bay View Hospital said
to-day that of the twenty FIVE sufferers above 70
ferred 10, not one had sustained iil-treafnent on .
Baltimore vessel Secretary Fa'rchih, to whom tho
committee OF the German soclety OF Maryland sp-
peaed for cutter TO watch the dr~dges. has
given the committee encouragement. but ~ the SANE
time intmates that he is not of the law IN the
As he is that hs legally do
so, he will detail special armed revenue cutter 10
cruise IN Maryland waters 10 protect tho drcdser
from the cruel captains and the bruics who boss the
dredging machines.
Surgeon wyman, Of the United States Marine Eos
pital Service in special report prepared for the
German Society and submitted to the Secretary OF The
Treasury, tells of the number OF ra,ed BY him
WlHteT. Ills report contdtb tnebs VIZ
nifcans statements:
The surgical statistics I have given you are not ~
dreadful the other facts which have been
brought out-that men shan gbsed' taken 10 tbs
against their will allowed 10 remain for da2s IN 10
cold forepcak when sick and wounded. without anv
attention, beaten TO make them submissive, and
knocked overheard 10 prevent a trOublesorls claim
for wages, or report Of brutality when they gst 10
port. Another very important matter is the III dlemLs
In which they find themselves with regard to the law.
Tho vessels which they registered and
they arc seamen within he meaning Of the United
States Statutes. II they disobey their brutal and
pratical captains. they are subject to fine and I'm
prsonmcnt for mutiny II they obey they made
10 violate state laws and are cxnoscd 70 bullets nom
the State Navy. You need expect nothing from tbs
State OF Maryland regarding this matter. ard win
tell you why. The oyster captains supply and
interested with the oyster packers Oysfer-pack hing 10
Of the chief industries of Maryland The packers
are, therefore, very important political factor. They
stand by the captains and have a great deal Of po-
ucsl influence. My article was copied into some Of
the papers were roundly abused BY the packers and
their, their friends Tor publishing It; revcnne cutie,
giving aid The time for The vessel 10 ss should DO
just after hard storm or rvere cold spell OF weather
Tho State authorities meanwhile making efforts
with their small feet 10 stop the pirsiical dredging
dispatch from Annapolis gives the details Of the
capup If Of the drd gng boats after an exciting
chase. ihe State Police steamer Governor Thomas.
Captain Loker, at the mouth OF the Chester River
this morning about O'Clock three vessels which
thought to have been violating the Oyster Law.
out owing 10 tne DARKNESS, 'ne captain WIS unaDc 70
distinguish them. The nearest one, which proved
10 be the pungy @. A. Kerwan. Captain Alonzo Evans.
ot Baltimore was requested 20 heavc to. but failed
to surrender lively chase ensuod and Captain
LOker kept the vessel in sight until daylight when he
arrested the dredger The captain he could have
done so before, but feared that In the darkness he
would DO damage to both steamer and dreslger Tho
other boats disappeared in the darkness. When Cap
tain Loker made second attempt this morning IA
capture the Kerwan her captain t is said Threatened
to attack him, II he came on board. The drcdSer was
then i'm the Bay, sailing toward Baltimore The
steamer had been following clcss behind awaiting
favorable opportunity TO the prize. II was not
captured however, without struggle. and Captain
Ioker says he never before given much troubs
in making arrest. The captain Of the drcdger. n
though entirely powcrless 10 defend himself stouflv
refused TO surrender until the steamer had run into his
vessel twice, doing considerable damage. The only
shot fred from the police steamer signal for
tho dredgcr hcave 10. Charges Of having defsced
numbers, having unculled oysters board. and
hel trial