Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1892-09-23
UNBEARBLE.
The Arrogance of a Russian
Cruisers Captain
Who Has Seized a Number OF
Sealing Vessels.

Notwithstanding the International Law
(, He Claimed Russia Exercised Jurisdic.
tion Over the Sea One Hundred Miles
from Land-Captain Copp's story OF His
Treatment.
VICTORIA, B. c., Sept. 23.-The seal
ing schooner May Ellen and G. I'll. Tup-
per arrived Wednesday morning. The
last named took 1,S15 seals, $50 on the
Russian side. In answer to the demands
Of Captain Delebron, of the Russian
cruiser Sabiaka, Captain Baker, of the
O. Fl. Upper, went aboard that vessel
with his ships papers. The arrogance
of the captain of the Russian ship was
unbearable. After threatening to seize
both vessels and skins, no finally CON
cluded not to do so, saying, however,
that IL he caught them again he would
seize them.
Captain Delebron declined to say what
waters Russia claimed, and Baker was
gruffly told to never mind the limits.
Captain Delebron said he had seized the
Ariel, MCGOWAN, Victoria and three
other British vessels, besides four Amer
lean vessels.
Captain Baker says he is sure that
Delebron was bent ON making seizure
of any vessels he could find excuse for
Selling. The schooner May Ellen cor
roborated Tupper's story, and gave the
following account of the catches made
by vessels spoken by her; Mand S, $50;
Umbria, 400; Vancouver Belle, 1900;
Sadie Turpel, COS; Brenda, 1870; A. Earle,
800; Sea Lion. 620; g, q. White, ITO,
The May Ellen brought home 304 skins.
On the way over she warned the Sea
Lion of the danger OF being seized and
made the trip from Alton Island in
twenty-five days.
The schooner Victoria, Captain Rob
bins, returned home Tuesday night with
600 skins for the seasons work, one OF
hunters bringing the news of tho seizure
Of the Charlotte g. Cox and Enterprise.
Sealers generally are better pleased
with the situation, and it is thought
I that the schooners will be oil right yet
and that those seized will be returned
to their owners.
Captain Copp'sStory.
Captain Copp master Of the sealing
schooner Vancouver Belle, which was
seized by Russians, arrived Wednesday
morning in tow by the schooner Prize,
formerly the Rosieolson, of Victoria
which also had been seized by Russians.
The Vancouver Belle was captured by
Russian warship twenty-five miles of
Copper Island on July ~. She had
nearly 700 skins on board, and Copp in
tended starting home after that day.
sailing. He expostulated, but the com.
mander of the Russian ship told him
that Russians claimed jurisdiction oven
an area of hundred miles around the
island.
Cops men, with two exceptions, were
taken on board the cruiser and conveyed
to Petropaulosli. A prize crew was
placed on the Vancouver Belle.
Cops men were confined some time
and were given but a scanty allowance
OF Russian food, the commander finally
allowing Copp to return on the Olsen
They started out on July q, making the
trip in sixty days to this port. Tho
schooner was very old and unseaworthy
but experienced favorable weather and
arrived without mishap. The Russians
gave them provisions sufficient fol-
twenty days and of very inferior DUAL
ity, the supply running ont despite
economy and the men We're nearly starved
when they arrived.
In all forty-two men were on board
twonty-four being the crew of the Van
couver Belle, and the remainder belong
ing to the schooners Seward and e. b.
Marvin, of Victoria, The former los
two boats in the fog and the latter one
The Russians picked them up. All skim
and ammunitions, as well rs the schoon
er, worth, equipped, about $40 200, wert
confscated.
Captain Copp had lengthy interview
with Collector of Customs Bowel, anC
will take the mems dispositions and for
ward the same to the government.