The morning call., 1893-07-19
ABOUT THOSE McLEANS.
What People in Town Say and
Know of Them.

KNOW OF Inem.
When the news of the supposed battle
became generally known along the city
front that section Of the city became alive
with excitement.
The Mclean boys are known from one
END of the water front to the other. and
every salt along the line had something to
say Of them.
Very few were surprised. however. to
learn that Alex. who was in command of
the Alexander, had had trouble with the
Government boat. To the contrary 1t
would appear as though every one ex-
pC cted that just such thing would occur.
for when the Alexander was being fitted
out here it was generally believed that it
was going on a pirating trip among the
rookeries.
Many more than full complement Of
men were shipped, and all the other
arrangements were such as pirater and
not sealer would make.
Then again it was known that Alex Nc
Lean had for years looked upon the rook-
cries as public prey. and had frequently
expressed his determination to 60 on a
rading voyage around them.
The season before last he tried radinS,
but was caught by the Russian officials
before he got fairly started in the work.
On that occasion his vessel was cOnflscateG.
In addition to the many other suspicious
preparat tions made by him before sailing
with the Alexander the fact that the YES
sell sailed under the Hawaiian flag was
considered pretty good proof that she was
bent on raidng trip.
low iar hor tNfo Iao I'D
the Russian flag, but it is thought that the
change was made in order to save those
connected with her from suffering the Sc
verest penalty of the law in the event OF
their being caught.
Alex Mclean and his brother Daniel,
who is now sailing the Webster. began
their careers as sealers about twelve years
ago. Formerly they had been miners in
British Columbia. They made their first
voyage with Caytain j. l.. Carthcut on the
San Diego, Daniel as sailing master and
Alex before the mast. Later on they sue
ceeded in selling their mining interest and
then purchasing the Mary Ellen from
Goodall, Perkins & Co. started sealing on
their own account For awhile they ran
out of Victoria, but finally transferred
their interests to this city.
They claim to be natives Of Nova Scotia
and Alex is the younger. being about 80
years Of age. Dan is about 35.
The latter's life as sealer has been less
adventursome than that of his brother. 1t
is not known that he was ever caught
poaching or raiding. but at one time hs
was caught in a severe storm which nearly
wrecked his vessel.
Alex has always been reported to be a
poacher and raider. and scarcely season
has passed during which he did not have
some kind Of brush with tho Government
boats.
Last year he sailed the Rosa Sparks and
although he did q OF 60 out until late in the
season and returned Oh July 20 with a
catch Of 457 seals. during the short time he
was out he was several times chased by
the Russian and American gunboats. He
is considered quite a lucky sailor. how
ever. for usually be manages to avoid be-
ing caught.
While ali who know Alex Mclean do
not doubt that he would not hesitate about
firing upon the Mohcan did he find him
self in tight place and then take chances
on being bile to run away. there are some
VINO think 1t impo ssble for him to have
oeen In the vicinity where the fight is said
10 nave occurred on the date given. This
oeiieI Is based on statement contained in
a iet1er which was recently received from
captain Charles Mnkler of the Martha
oyer, VINO was stationed at Hokada, on
tne Japanese coast, and which was to the
erect that the Alexander was lying up
there. 1t IS argued that il Mclean was
there then he was certainly raiding among
the Japanese r0okerias, and consequently
would not have crossed over to the other
side In the vicinity of st. Paul, St George.
Copper or Barren Island.
Olney May Succeed Blatchfords