The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-30
A NEW STEAMER.
To Be Built for Sealing
Purposes.
Plans and Specifications to Be Made
by Leading Port Glasgow
ShipbuiIders.

Not at all a4ed by The presence on the
Pacific Slope of special agents of the United
States Treasury Department, here osten-
sibly for the purpose Ct investigating the
workings of the ring within ring" in the
Northwest Victoria smugglers have just
completed plans and specifications for tho
building Of a vessel by Messrs. Russell 81
Co. of Port Glasgow that is to be warranted
to pass anything on the broad Pacific. on
the smooth waters OF Puget Sound, from a
tishing-smack TO an armored cruiser.
Some months ago 1t was limited that the
construction of such vessel was contem-
plated, but it was not known who the inter-
ested parties were who desired TO tempt
Dame Fortune by smuggling by means of a
steel vessel of the latest model and work
manship.
Sealing Company" dispa tched its agent to
England with instructions to present the
plans of the vessel proposed to the firm
named.
As the Victoria Sealing Company is
very in definite institution which never saw
a seal other than those that bask on the
rocks of the Straits of Juan de Fuca or in
sight OF the Cliff House Of this city, as peo-
pie do not go sealing nowadays in vessels
which must make twenty Knots In smooth
and rough water" the probable use to
which the new boat will be put is rather
shady.
The notorious Toronto smuggler Vree-
man. alias Freeman, has been detailed TO
confer with Messrs. Russell IL Co., and on
the Victoria Sealing Company's list Of sub
scribers to the enterprise are the names
of nearly every man on British Columbian
soil who has for years past entered into
schemes to defraud the United States out
OF its legitimate revenue on opium.
The plans and specifications of the new
boat call for steamer OF $50 tons burden,
to be built Of the best material and upon a
model for speed and endurance"
As cOal-bunkers are provided for, which
nearly occupy al the space usually assigned
to vessel for cargo, an electric plant and
French lens mentioned. it appears to the
nautical public that this sealing steamer
is little too sporty for Behring Sea travel.
The steamer. it is definitely known, Will
be used for the smuggling of Chinese and
opium as some of thnse who are interested
in her made statement to that effect when
the subject of the boat was preached several
months ago.
There was some talk among the ring of
having the steamer built at the Union Iron
Works in San Francisco but the projectors
of the scheme thought That If this was done
the matter would meet with so much pub
licity that it would not be agreeable for the
ring
Vreeman. who was in this city some
months ago, and who mentioned The fact to
three witnesses that such a vessel would be
built, subsequently regretted the Informal
ton he lad given on the subject and
advised his confreres TO drop the scheme
for awhile till public notice was directed
another way.
Later Vreeman stated that the vessel
would be for sealing purposes in japanese
waters when questioned regarding her, but
rs letter from one of his accom- plices states
that THE vessel must be fast enough to
pass any revenue cutter on the coast, and
plainly constructed, so as not TO attract too
much attention on the sound" her purpose
is obvious.
About 100000 was subscribed for the
building of this boat and most of the stock
OF the company Will be controlled by three
or four persons, one OF whom lives in
Toronto, one in Montreal and one in Vic
toria.
The steamer will probably make seal
Ing" expeditions to Mexico. Lower Cali
fornia-in fact. everywhere that Chinese or
opium can be landed.
One of the hackers of the "Victoria Seal
ing Company" was instrumental in the
landing Of 200 Chinese at or near Whaicom,
in Washington State, about three years
ago. His name is Marion Z. HaYnie. and
bis birthplace is Philadelphia, but he has
gone by the name of Case. Maxwell, Great
house and half dozen other titles.
He appears TO have plenty of money and
| spends his time about hotels.
The new vessel will be schooner-rigged and
somewhat smaller than the cutter Corwin.