The record-union., 1894-06-13
SEAL pOACHERS.
Twenty Vessels Warned by the United
States fleet.


PORT TOWNSEND, June 12.--Private adj
vices from the Behring Sea patrol, dated
June Sd, state that up to that time the
United States fleet had warned twenty
sealers, only eight of which were Ameri-
cans. The department orders regarding
the treatment Of sealers were not opened
until after the fleet left here on May 10th,
and were found to be as follows:
''When sealer is boarded by naval
officer, English or American, he exam
ines the logbook under date of May LIST,
where, if sealer has been previously
boarded, he will find an entry. This en-
try will show whether the sealer has been
warned or licensed"
So far Captains have offered no objec-
tions to being searched. and all seem
anxious to learn the mission OF the pa
troll fleet and get back 10 port. In fact
the English men-of-war carried orders
from owners of sealers which fitted out
at Victoria to return to that port. Beside
making au entry in the logbook in re-
gard To boarding the sealer, the officer
seiZeS all seals, firearms and ammunition.
The sealing of arms and ammunition is
done by placing the ammunition in a
canvas bag, which is carefully tied and
the knots covered with wax, which is
stamped with the ships official seal. The
arms are lashed together and the knots
officially stamped. Then the sealer is
told that he can take out license if he
desires, which will entitle him to seal
after August 1st. All sealers are given
copies of the papers, proclamation and
Act of Parliament.
TWO VESSELS GIVE TROUBLE.
SEATTLE, June IA special to the
-JHteiligencei dated Sitka, June Sd,
says: The United States Mohican, flag
ship of the Behring Sea patrol fleet ar
rived in port to-day for mail and sup
plies, having been on a cruise Of five
days about Kodiak Islands. On the
third day of the cruise, i'll heavy weather,
the lookout on the Mohican saw a vessel
we'll in shore. The warship bore down
on the schooner, which Immediately
piled on all sail iu an attempt to get
away. The wind favored the schooner,
so orders were given to fire across her
bow. The Hotchiss guns sent couple
of shots after the schooner, which hove
to. When boarded she proved to be the
Volunteer of Seattle. No direct evil
cept all arms and implements were ready
for use. These were all sealed up and
the Volunteer ordered to Sand Point to
await the end Of the season.
The next day similar performance
was gone through with the schooner
George K. White, also of Seattle. The
Captains of both vessels were angered at
being boarded. and from their manner
the naval officers expect more trouble
with them. The next time they are found
away from Sand Point they will be seized.
In talking with the officers of the Mo-
hican, the Post -I,tettigencer correspond
ent learned that there are liable to be
many seizures within the next few weeks,
as some of the vessels ordered to remain
at Sand Point have put to sea during the
absence ofthe war vessels from that place.
One of the officers said 1.-The order to
seal up all arms and implements found
on board will not prove effective, as
many Captains Will take their chances ON
getting away, break open the seals and
hunt again. Others will obtain arms
secretly and leave the sealed ones as we
place them. There is nothing to prevent
them buying new guns and shoot away
as soon as they get clear of land. This
should be provided against"
The only sealers who have given
trouble of the twenty or thirty boarded
were the Volunteer and White.