The record-union., 1894-06-19
sEALERs HAVING A HARD TIME.
Encounter Bad Weather, and Game
Wild and Scarce.

Wild and scarce.
SAN Francisco, June Is. = Captain
Burtis, of the sealing schooner Louisa D 4,
writing under date of May 18th, from the
Japan Sea to a friend in this city, says
the sealers have been having rough
time of it, owing to bad weather and the
fact that seals are scarce and wild.
Nearly all the vessels off the coast of
Japan have lost hope.
According to the Captains advices up
to the above date the catches Of the vari-
Gus vessels were as follows: Louisa D.,
], ,059 skins; +. B. Marvin, 200; Sophia
Sutherland, 1000, and the Barunda, 900.
On April 18th Captain Burtis spoke the
Cox with 442 skins, and on the 9th the
Bowhead with 40. On May 10th the Lii
lie L. was spoken, and had 450 skins, and
on the same day the City of San Diego
also reported go skins, and the Allie
Alger $50. The Annie Mithalda reported
only l35 skins on April 9th. He also re-
ported having seen the wrecked schooner
Mascot twice. The Alger was in the
sme storm which upset the Mascot She
y. 5hipped heavy seas, and was so badly
damaged that size had to put Into oko-
hama for repairs.
POSSIBILITY OF INTERNATIONAL COM
PLICATIoNS.
PORT TOWNSEND (Wash.), June 18.-By
the latest reports from the Behring Sea
fleet, brought down by the steamer Queen,
it is learned that there is more than
possibility of international complications
arising in regard to the authority of our
fleet over vessels flying flags of other
than those Of the United States and Eng
land Commander Clark has given or
ders to the other commanders of United
States vessels to board sealers Of all ma
tionalitieS and inform them that their
presence in Behring Sea is suspicious,
and TO warn them not to kill seals. They
are to be told that they can have a license
to seal after the end of the closed season,
and will consent to have their arms
sealed. Should sealer decline this offer,
and is afterward caught sealing, she is to
be seized and sent to the nearest tele-
graphic port with a prize crew and the
facts telegraphed to the department.
Commander Clark has received relia-
BILE information that Sealers flying the
flags OF Norway and Germany have
cleared for Behring Sea, but if they enter
the sea they will surely be seized.
The Adams returned to Sitka June 10th
after a cruise of fourteen days in the
tiulf of Alaska. She did not see any
sealers, but learned at st. Paul, on Ko-
dlak Island, that the seals and sealing
fleet had gone to the westward. The Mo-
hican returned to Sitka June llth, after a
cruise along the coast as far north as va
lSutat Bay, without seeing any sealers.
The Yorktown arrived at Sitka June IIth
direct from Unalaska, where she left the
Concord, Alert, Petrol and Aibatross, all
OF which had warned sealers.
From all reports Commander Clark is
of the opinion that an attempt will be
made by unlicensed sealers to take seals
abont the islands about as soon as the
seals begin to enter Behring Sea. With a
view to blocking any such game, Com
mander Clark viii station different yes
sells of the fleet at the various passes as
soon as the seals begin to enter the sea.
On the way down the Yorktown an
chored under the lee of Uang Island DUR
ing a heavy gale of wind. Next day the
officers landed for d days shooting, and
Paymaster Edwin b. Webster will prob
ably never forget his terrible experiences
on that expedition. lie became separated
from the other members Of the shooting
party, and the weather was so thick that
he could not find his way back TO the
ship. Search parties were sent out, but
the fog was thick and they could accom-
plish nothing. The weather was bitter
cold. snow was falling, and it was blow
ING gale. Ali day long the searchers
traInped about and returned late at night
in despair, at first break of day next
morning Captain Folger detailed a
party OF 100 men to look for the lost
man. By this time the weather
had moderated considerably, and at
IL O'clock the Paymaster was found
lying on the rugged hillside asleep and
completely exhausted. He was carried
on board ship, and for several hours his
life was despaired OF, but he is now al
most completely recovered.