The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-19
M0HICAN FIRED UPON.
OUR UdR-sHJP DISABLED BY A
POACRJNG VESSEL.
Mystery Of tho Alexandria That Was
Fitted Up In San Francisco solved-Be-
port Discreditcd In Washington.

SEATTLE, WASH. July 1s.-The steam
arrived here last night, brought the fol-
lowing advices, which finally settled the
mystery concerning the steamer Alex
andria, which was fitted out I'm San Fran
cisco some time ago. ostensibly for a
fishing cruise.
The Alexandria, under command Of Cap
tain Mclean. sailed from San Francisco
for Honolulu last April. and later left
Honolulu at night On June the 9th the
Alexandria was intercepted in Behring
Sea by the United States warship Mo-
hcan. The MOhican ordered the Alex
andria to lay TO, but instead OF doing so
the Alexandria increased her speed and
attempted to escape. The Mohican pur-
sued her and fired two blank shots across
her bow as a signal for her 10 heave 10.
in supreme disregard Of the order the
Alexandria steamed faster. and when the
Mohican fired another blank cartridge
the Alexandria trained her six FOUNDER
on her pursuer. and sent the shell crash
ing through the sides of the warship and
into her gun-room. The ball played havoc
among the ships machinery. and COM
pletely disabled the Alohcan.
At this juncture dense fog arose, and
the Alexandria made her escape, while
the Mohican had to anchor for six hours
for repairs.
AIexandria's Suspicious Outft.
SAN FRANCISCO. July 1S.-The steam
er Alexandria sailed from here last April
under the Hawaiian flag. ostensibly for
a hunting and fishing voyage I'm the
North Pacific ocean. The peculiarity OF
her outfit was that she carried over
sixty men, many OF them expert seal
hunters, and that she had forty Win
chester rifles and several small cannon
She also carried an unusually large
amount Of salt for preserving skins, as
well as many hogsheads. In which 10
pack her catches Of skins. The men
selected by skipper Mclean were noto-
rious I'm San Francisco as fellows who
would enjoy a fight, and though it was
given out that she intended 10 visit the
Japan seal rookeries. and perhaps, those
Of Copper Island on the Siberian coast,
Mclean. her commander. was notorious
as having conducted several raids on the
Japan coast. one Of his vessels was
seized by the Russians after lively |
fight.
In spite Of the fact that her destlna- |
ton was given out as the Japan coast /
raids on Russian or Behring sea rook-
cries, and tho American patrolling fleet |
was warned 10 look out for her.
The story Of her recent adventures
brought from SitlSa IS that at daylight |
on May 9th the Alexandra was OBJ
served by the Mohican coming out from
under the lee Of an island where the
seals usually congregated in large num-
bers The Mohican. which is the flag
4 f..H |
Captain Nichol Ludlow signaled 10 the
Alexandria 10 heave 10. which she dis
obeyed. and a couple Of shots were fred
across her bows The Alexandria put ON
all steam and returned the fire. a small
shot struck the M0hican
lmidships and disabled the engines. The
sent a couple Of shots after
he fleeing pOacher, but they flew wide
II the mark. The Mohican lay 10 six
hours repairing machinery. Meanwhile
he Alexandria escaped In n thick fog.
which was settling down. The Mohican
spent several days searching for the yes
sci. and returned 10 Ounalaska Just as
he steamer Crescent city was leaving |
'or Sitka. The Mohican visited the island !
where the Alexandria had been, and !
'ound ample evidence TO warrant the
assumption that a large number OF seals
iad been killed lately
The Report Discredited.
WASHINGTON. July 1S-Navy Depart
nent officials do not credit the story that |
he United States Steamship Mohican was
ired upon and disabled by the pOaching |
teamer in Alaskan waters on the 9th Of
asst month. one strong reason for their
ncredulity IS the following telegram re-
eived this morning from Captain Hooper,
the Revenue cutter Rush:
"NANIAMO. y. c., July II, 1893.
Of the Navy. Washington:
by order Of Commander Ludlow, Of the
teamer Rush. was seized July ID at Chi
ukaf Island. the American schooners ST. I
'aul and Alexander for violating section {
SO, Revised Statutes" q
1t may be noted that the events men 4
oned in the above dispatches were Of S
later date than that upon which the
lleged firing took place. but no mention {
made Of It, although the order for the d
sizure was given by Captain Ludlow and D
resumably his vessel, the Mohcan. was i'm 4
many with the Rush. Commodore (
amseY acting secretary Of the Navy. a
alieves that Captain Ludlow would GER !
linly have not failed 10 mentioned so r
nportant an event as the disablement Of [
"a. II