The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-07
A NEW SMUGGLING STEAMER.
For the Victoria Opium Kfng-To Bs
SWifteP Than the Cutters.
San Francisco Call

For the Victoria Opium Ring-To BE
SwifteP Than the Cutters.
San Francisco Call
Not at all awed BY the presence on the Pacific
slope of special agents OF the United States
treasury department., here ostsnsibly for the
purpose Of investigating the workings of the
''ring within . RUG" in the Northwest, Victoria
smuggisrs have just completed plans and speci-
dcations for the building OF . vessel BY Msssra
Russell & Co.. of Port Glasgow. that 10 war
ranted TO pass anything on the broad Pacific. on
the smooth waters OF Puget sound. from fish
ing smack mp to an armorsd cruiser.
Some months ago il was limited that the con-
struction of such Q vessel was contemplated.
but 1t was not known who the interested parties
were who desired to tempt Dame Fortune BY
smuggling by means of Q steel vessel OF the
latest model and workmanship
On the 9th of this month the ''victoria Seal
ing Company" dispatched 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 Q seal
other than those that bask on the rocks OF the
Straits of san Juan de Fuca or in sight OF the
Cli6 House. OF this city, As people do not 60
sealing nowadays in vessels which 'smust make
twenty knots in smooth and rough water" the
probable use to which the new boat will be put
10 rather shady.
The notorious Toronto smuggler vreeman.
alias Freeman, has been detailed to confer with
Messrs Russell 4 Co.. and on the Victoria Seal
ing Company's list of subscribers to the enter
prise are the names of nearly every man on Brit
ish Columbia 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 . model for
'ypeed and endurance"
As coal bunkers are provided for, which nearly
occupy all the space usually assigned to a YES
Sci for cargo. an electric plant and French lens
mentioned. it appears to the nautical pubic
that this sealing steamer" is . little too sporty
for Bering sea travel.
The steamer, It Ia definitely known, will be
used Tor the smuggling OF Chinese and opium,
a. some Of those 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 tho Union Iron Works in
San Francisco, but the projectors OF the scheme
thought that II this was done the matter would
meet with 90 much publicity 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 wit
nesses that such vessel would be built, SUISSE
Quently regretted the information he had given
on the subject, and advised his confreres to drop
the scheme for Q while 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 q letter from
one OF his accomplices states that "the vessel
must be fast enough to pass any revenue cutter
on the coast. and plainly constructed, 10 a. not
to attract too much attention on the Sound"
her purpose Is obvioua
About $780, 900 was subscribed for the building
of this boat and most of the stock of the CON-
pany will be controlled BY three or four persons,
one of whom lives In Toronto. one in Montreal
and one in Victoria.
The steamer will probably make sealing" az
petitions to Mexico, Lower California--in fact,
everywhere that Chinese or opium can be landed.
One Of the hackers of the "victoria Sealing
Company" was instrumental In the landing OF
200 Chinese At or near Whatcom, In Washington
state, about three years ago. His name Is Ma
rion z. Haynie. and his birthplace il Philadel-
phia, but he has gone by the name of Case. Max
we'll. Greathouse and half dozen other titles.
He appears to have plenty of money and
spends his time about hotels.
The new vessel will DO schooner.rigKed and
somewhat smaller than the cutter Corwin.