Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-05
DEFIANCE OF THE sEALER.
Capt. Thomas OF the Black Diamond
Takes His Craft to Victoria

A thrill of exultation swept over Victoria,
Be, Saturday evening when the sealer Black
Diamond, recently seized by the United States
revenue cutter Rush, sailed proudly into the
harbor with the British colors flying gaily
from her mast head. Cheer after cheer rang
along the water front and the news flew over
the city, causing great excitement. Capt.
Thomas came ashore at once and was con-
graduated on all sides.
The Black Diamond had one American sea-
man on board-John Hakansson. He was ap-
pointed special officer by the captain Of the rev.
enue cutter Rush, and ordered to take the Dia-
mond to Sitka. Capt. Thomas Of the Diamond
told Lieut.. Tuttle he would not sail for Sitka,
but would bring his vessel to Victoria. IL they
wanted the Diamond to go to Sitka they would
have TO put stronger crew than the schooner's
aboard The Rush steamed away and Thomas
sailed toward Onalaska, thinking that there
were British warships in that vicinity and in
tending to demand protection.
THE ONE AMERICAN SEAMAN pEFIEp.
Capt. Thomas sailed into Onalaska harbor and
boarded a schooner from Port Townsend. He
was told there were no men-of-war in the vicin-
ity. Thomas told the American seaman he would
sail for Vretaux, which he did. He landed his
Indians on the east coast Of Vancouver island
The Rush took the Diamonds sealskins, about
oos Out iclt ever Inc american sea-
man has made an Official report to American
Vice-Consul Marvin, who has telegraphed the
facts to Consul Stevens of San Francisco
The greatest satisfaction is felt here at the
escape OF the Diamond 1t Is thought the
United States will certainly demand the return
of the schooner, which the British government
dare not give up. 1t will bring the matter to a
speedy conclusion
THE DIAMOND CAPTAINS VERSION.
Capt. Thomas, of the Black Diamond, gave
the following as his version of the seizure:
July IL we got in a catch of tifty-three seals
At pm. We sighted the United States revenue
cutter Rush. She came up to us and ordered
US to heave to. We did so. The chief officer
came aboard and demanded our papers We
refused to give them to him, and he then got
screw-driver and screwed off the hinges on
the locks in the cabin, then took the papers
and l05 sealskins and all Indian spears and ten
bags Of salt. Then he put John Hakansson
an able seaman. aboard with instructions to us
not to interfere, sailing master. Hakansson
from start saw 1t was impossible to attempt to
take charge of affairs in his own hands. and
consequently lay in his bunk nearly the whole
time, not attempting to interfere"
John Hakansson, the American seaman saws
he was treated kindly by everybody on the
schooner. When he was put aboard the Black
Diamond he said to his officers: Instead of
taking her to Sitks they may 60 to victoria."
They did not answer him.
Mr.. Hammley, collector of customs, said he
is Of the opinion that when Hakansson was put
aboard the Black Diamond the people on the
Rush did not care whether she came to Victoria
or not, as long as she got out of the sea and
stopped destroying seals.