The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-26
NEWS OF BERING SEA.
Why the Polar Bear Was Fired
on by the Marines
SEA OTTER HUNTING QUESTION.
Seizure Of Helen Gray, Mountain Chief.
Oscar and Hattie and Henrietee
Halsa sinpsen'S Mishsp.

Aotoo 6lnpe0nO AAa01Ps
BERIsa SEA. Aug. a.-[Speciai. 1.-The
firing on the steamer Polar Bear, of As
toria, by the guard statioaed on shore at
False pass oy Commodore Evans, of the
Bering Sea squadron. still engages con-
siderable attention although the affair
took place some three weeks ago. Christ
Jansen, the wounded engineer of the Polar
Bear, was sent to Unalaska and under the
care OF DR.. Harmon. of the Yorktown, his
arm. broken by . bullet from the False
Pass guard, was dressed and the bones set.
Local public opinion completely exoner-
ates the officer in charge of the guard for
his action in firing on the steamer while
sympathixing with the innocent victim of
circumstances. The public in the United
States have no doubt heard the particulars
of the affair from the captain of the Polar
Bear, which sailed for Astoria imme-
diately after reaching Unalaska and land
ing Mr.. Christensen, but a. there are al
ways two ways Of looking at thing l
will risk giving stale news by relating
briefly the account of the incident as it is
generally told here:
AAO OioA DCoA Aoo OSSl ShAPAOy GU ouA~
ing the fishing season as sort of tender
for the canneries situated on Bristol bay.
which glance at the map of Alaska will
show is situated in the extreme southeast
ern part Of Boring sea. After the close of
the season the steamer started home, In
tending to go out Of the sea by way Of
Unimak pass, but when about half way
there dense fog came up and continued
for two days. When 1t finally lifted the
captain of the Polar Bear found himself
close inshore near the entrance to mar
row passage leading out Of Boring sea into
the Pacific ocean known as False pass.
This channel being shallow is but little
used by ships coming into or leaving the
sea, and in consequence has been of late
years a favorite route for the poaching
sealers to get in unseen by the cruisers.
This year, however, Commodore Evans
determined to stop the business, and in
order to do SO established . camp on
shore under charge of an officer, who had
orders to stop all vessels attempting to
pass through and learn their business. If
they were sealers they were to be seized,
and II honest traders or fishermen were to
be allowed to proceed on their way. Now,
when the captain Of the Polar Bear saw
where he was he at once decided to run
through The pass rather than risk further
delay by fog in reaching Unimak pass,
and so he headed his vessel in for the mar
row channel. When he had fairly got in
side he was hailed by the sentry on
duty at this point, but either did not
hear the hail or else did not
understand the summons to heave
to until he could be boarded. At
any rate he kept on his course. The SEN
try then fred across the steamers bow
and those on board imagining. perhaps.
that it was some scrt of salute, answered
the shot by waving their handkerchiefs.
At the sound of the shot the guard turned
out in full force and ran along the shore
to where the sentry was stationed.
Another volley was fired across the yes
sells bows as signal to stop. but was UNI
needed by the master. The guard then,
not knowing what the vessel intended
doing and seeing no disposition on the
part Of those on board to heave her to a.
ordered, directed volley directly at the
vessel. One of the shots passed through
the light frame deck house and tore the
top of the chronometer box off and the
rest whistled SO uncomfortably close to
the people on board that the widest state
of confusion ensued. The engines were at
once stopped and backed, and in the ex-
element of the moment the vessel
grounded on q shoal. The guard
on shore seeing the vessel stopped
at once ceased firing and were
making preparations to launch their
boat and board the steamer when
she got afioat again and Immediately be-
gan backing out Of the channel into Ber-
ing sea again. Shots were now fired
across her stern to fetch her to, but as be-
fore. the captain either did not under
stand the signal or else would not obey.
At any rate the steamer kept on her way.
Another volley was fired into the vessel
now and Christensen, the engineer,
dropped to the deck with a shattered arm.
steamer got out of range before any more
damage could be done. She was at once
headed for Unalaska and report of the
affair was made to the authorities at that
place. Christensen was left under the
charge of the Yorktown's surgeon and
the Polar Bear sailed for Astoria.
When asked why the vessel was not
stopped when hailed and shots were fired
ahead of her, some of the members of the
Polar Bear party said they thought they
were either being brought to by pirates or
madmen. The idea of a government
guard being stationed there, it appears,
never occurred to them, and yet the sentry
and guard were in full view, dressed in
uniform. and the United States flag was
hoisted in conspicuous position at the
camp. Commander Evans Immediately
went to False pass on receipt of news of
the regrettable affair-regrettabie solely
for the reason that an innocent man was
painfully wonderland held an investi-
CATION with the result that the officer in
charge of the guard was completely ex-
onerated from any blame in the matter.
At last accounts the wounded mans
arm was healing rapidly, although it is
feared it was so badly shattered that he
will never regain the full use of it. Chris
Hansen intends bringing suit tor damages
against the owners of the Polar Bear as
soon as he returns home, and the evil
dence of neglect of duty on the part of
those responsible for the movements of
the vessel is so strong that there is hardly
doubt but that the courts will sustain
Christensen in his demands
The law regarding the hunting of sea
offers with breech-loading firearms is be-
ing rigidly enforced by Commander Evans.
and his action in seizing thirteen skins.
the product OF the seasons catch by a