Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-07-20
HOW The ALEXANDRIA ESCAPED.
Used Her Guns and Disabled the
u. S. Gunboat Mohloan.


The Latter Fired Two BLANK Cartridges
as Signal for tho Other to Stop, But
the Alexandria Returned Fire with
Solid Shot, which Did Great Execution.
SEATTLE, WASH, July ls.--The steamer
City of Tope ka. from Alaska, which ar
rived here last night, brought the follow
ing advices, which finally settle the mys-
terry concerning the steamer Alexandria,
which was fitted out in San Francisco
some time ago, ostensibly for a fishing
cruise.
The Alexandria, under command of
Captain Mclean, sailed from San Fran
left Honolulu at night. June 25th the
Alexandria was intercepted in Behripg Sea
by the United States warship Mohican:
The Mohican ordered the Alexandria to
lay to, but instead of doing so the Alex.
andria increased her speed and attempted
TO escape. The Mohican pursued and fired
| two blank shots across her bow as a signal
| for her to heave to- In supreme disregard
| of the order the Alexandria steamed faster,
and when the Mohican fired another blank
| cartridge the Alexandra Mained her six
FOUNDER on her pursuer and sent shell
crashing through the sides of the .warship
and into her gun-room. The ball played
havoc among the ships machinery and
completely disabled the Mohican.
At this junoture dense fog arose and
| the Alexandria made her escape while the
Mohican had to anchor for six hours for
repairs.
TWO ILLEGAL sEALERs SEIZED.
Further advices have been received here
to the effect that a Lieutenant from the
revenue cutter Richard Rush, boarded the
schooner Alexander of San Francisco
Captain c. II. Lewis, and the st. Paul oil
Kodiak, July LIST, in little cove neal
\ Okohiak, situated 80 miles southeast Of
| Kodiak. Both vessels claimed to have
been taking wood and water.
The Alexander was examined and passed
muster When the lieutenant attempted t.
board the st. Paul, he was met with resist
ance, but finally succeeded in finding 81,
sealskins aboard. This SO inoensed the st
Paul skipper that he informed the lieuten
ant that the Alexander also had seal skin
aboard.
The lieutenant then paid second visi
to the Alexander and found aboard Il
sealskins. Both vessels were then formal,
seized and prize crews placed aboard them
The schooners were sent to Alaska, wher
they will be held until the next term o
the district court.
NOT CREDITED AT THE DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, July lS.-The Navy DE-
partment officials do not credit that III
steamer Mohican was fired upon and di:
abled by poaching steamer in Alaska
waters on the 25th Of last month. On
strong reason for their incredulity is th
. following telegram received this mornin
from Captain Hooper, commanding tn
revenue cutter Rush;
, NANIAMo, B. c., July i7-Ssoretary Of q
Napy, Washington, ID. c.--By order OF Con
T mander Ludlow, the steamer Rush selze
3 July I'd, at Chlrukaf Island, America
, schooners 81. Paul and Alexander for Violate
of section 1866, Revised Statutes.
1t may be noted that the events nei
/ toned IN the above dispatch were Of lat
} date than that upon which the allege
/ firing took place, but no mention is mac
j of ii, although the order for the seizui
, was given by Captain Ludlow and presur
y ably his vessel. the Mohican, was In con
!. pany with the Rush.
+. Commodore Ramsey, acting Secretai
y of the Navy. believes that Captain Ltldlo
+ would certainly not have failed TO mel
l. ton so important an event as the disabl
n Inent OF his ship If it were true.
y NOT BELIEVED IN NEW YORK.
Z New YoRK, July lS.-The dispatch sta
d ing tie United States ship Mohican hi
1t been disabled by shot from Hawaiis
2. poaching vessel is generally discredit
10 here. number of prominent lawyer
1t among them Robert 6. Ingersoll and Jud
1t Noah Davis, expressed doubt as to u
IL truth of the dispatch.