Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-12-21
THE OYSTER War.
Battle Between MaryIand'S Navy
and the Pirates.
Two Illegal Dredgers Sunk and
Nine Lives Lost.

The fiercest battle in the whole list of
Maryland oyster wars has been fought and
the result was a victory for the States
oyster navy. Ever since the present season
began the pirates have been ''walloping'' the
State authorities. They have gone so
far as to capture a police sloOp, cut
her rigging, send her crew ashore,
and throw her guns overheard. They have
deprecated on the best beds and terrorized
the whole bay. So belligerent did they grow
that they attacked passenger steamer and
fired upon her, which is now the subject OF
official investigation. About the only thing
the oyster navy accomplished was to kill
dredger, wound two others, and get defeated
on all occasions
Two weeks ago Governor Jackson said the
rebellion should be put down at all hazard.
Cannon were secured from the Federal
Government. The largest steamer, the
Robert NJ. McIane, named after the present
Minister to France, was equipped with the
big guns. The McLane Is about 100 feet
good speed and substantial design.
She was placed under the command Of Cap
tain Thomas Howard who is the most deter
mined and most efficient man in the force:
For several days he has been rowing around
the BAY. Last night he directed the steamer
up Chester River. Within the mouth of the
river are rich oyster beds, which are forbidden
by law to ali dredgers.
The McLane proceeded carefully and
quietly. Dredgers were heard at work along
the bend of the river between Queenstown
Greek and Carpenters Island Captain
Howard ordered the cannon loaded and pre-
pared for hOstilitieS. At first he fired high
to brighten the dredgers away. There were
at least forty vessels, and they refused
to retreat. The Nc Lane drew closer. and
then the pirates opened fire with their rifles.
The McLane guns were directed at the rig
ging of the oyster boats, and great damage
was done. The pirates tried to surround the
steamer, but the McLane wiggled out Of the
network of boats
Then boIder plans were attempted. Two
of the larger vessels approached, one from
either side, the others holding bacI as the re-
serve. Captain Howard saw the design He
did not fire. but ordered full steam on
and ahead. Forward the steamer plunged
and, almost before the dredgers knew
what had happened, the prov
had struck the vessel Julia Jones alnidships
and left a gaping wound. The steamer
turned quickly and charged for the other
ciSive and the MahOney went to the bottom.
Cries for hep arose from the crews on these |
disabled boats and they were promptly res |
cued.
Captain Rice, Of the sloop Mahoney, one !
of the sunken vessels, tells a thrilling story
of the battle. He says that his crew of nine !
men were on the forward deck when the
steamer bore down upon them. He declares
his vessel not engaged in piracy, but |
was only seeking a harbOr from the ugly
night outside in the bay. All his crew were
either drowned or crushed to death. Nine
men were drowned from the two boats
By this time the pirates had got enough.
The cannonading was something new to them.
They were accustomed to rife tails but not
TO Federal cannon. In the haste to escape
several of the boats ran ashore The McLane
followed one up and captured her. The
Captain and crew of the captured vessel were
before Justice GOdsbOrOugh at
Centrevlle and fined 800 and costs. The
crews of the Sunken boats were placed in
jail The Captains of both of the boats eS-
capped.
The McLane is riddled with bullets, every
pane of glass III the pilot house is broken,
and the whole boat is considerably dis
figured. Mate Frazier of the McLaue was
shot in the feshy part of the arm, and
another bullet grazed his head. The
engineer had a narrow escape. There
were six men on the steamer, while the
enemy and nearly 200 The whole affair
took place in the dark and some very tall
stories are told of the engagement. One of
the captured Oystermen asserts that the plan
was to surround the McLane and burn or
sink her and make prisoners of all her crew.
to Baltimore. He said his rudder was torn
away by cannon shot, and that the execu-
tiOn of the shot terrible. This sort of
thing continued for two hours" he
said; ''then she changed her tactics
and came directly toward As soon as
she got close opened fire. She didn't
ply, but continued coming toward at full
speed. She struck the Julia Jones, cutting
her nearly in two. As she struck she dis
charged the cannon directly on the deck As
soon as she freed herself from the wreck she
backed out and then charged directly OH us
and ran my vessel down" He cried
for all to jump for their lives, He did
so, and got away. The crew were captured.