The San Francisco call., 1897-09-25
Tons of Young Smelt Found
in the Vessels
Holds.
THE COAMISSIONER'S GOOD WORK.
An Exciting Flight of the Law Break
ers TO Escape the States
Officers.

To the surprise and chagrin of the Chi
nese fishermen OF San Pablo Bay the Fish
and Game Commissioners little launch
Quinnat appeared yesterday upon an
unexpected raid of the shrimp-ca tchers.
Two boats and eight fishers were captured
and the latter were taken to San Rafael
AID charged with violating the game laws
OF the State by killing and destroying :
young and small fish.
This action was along the course laid
down by Ithe Commissioners, as indicated
in THE CALL yesterday. They are deter
mined that the wholesale destruction of
the young and the small fish of this bay
shalt be stopped, and at once. AS has
been previously stated the shrimp-fshers
OF half a dozen camps around the bay
have for many years past been killing
thousands OF tons of young smelt. Cali
fornia anchOyies and other small Try
while in The pursuit OF the shrim fishing
industry.
These little f shes, il allowed, would in
a short time become Iarge enough for
food, besides furnishing an endless
amount OF sport for the local am ateur fish
ermen. Others of the small variety are
the natural food for many of the larger
fOod fsh OF this market-for instance. sal
mon, which supports one OF the largest
ana most profitable industries in this sec
tion. To XIII off all the food upon which
the salmon subsist is TO eventually drive
away the salmon themselves. The Chi
nese shrimp-tshers dry portion OF their
catches of small fish and large amount
is converted into fertilizing material and
sent TO China.
AS stated, the Commissioners have de.
cid ad n % halt II tins da
and the crew OF the little Quinnat is doing
the work in good shape. The boat started
out yesterday morning for another raid,
and on board were Chief Patrolman John
II. Davis aud deputies William Davis, NJ.
L Cross, Engineer Oscar Stormheid and
The CALL representative.
By the time San Quentin landing was
reached the tide was still too low for the
fishermen to 60 out TO their neis, so the
launch was tied up for short time. Hail
an hour later he watchers saw through
the marine glass that he Chinese from the
camp near McNears Landing were on their
way out 10 take up the nets about two
miles from the land. The launch was
fully three miles from the boats, but the
start was made. Not over half q mile was
covered before was seen h1ttering
on the top of the hill above the point,
signal to those in the boats that there was
danger. A minute later the Chinese began
for the fanding.
"Tmn her loose cried Davis to Engi-
neer Storm field, meaning 10 increase the
speed OF the launch. The latter responded
TO the slight opening of the gasoline vapor
waive and kept time 10 the increased ex-
plosion caused by the electric spark. 1t
was a pretty race, with the ODDS In favor
Of the Chinese, bu; who, had the course
been half mile longer, would have been
captured. They piled out on the wharf
and escaped into the camp and the launch
proceeded upon her way to the larger
grounds III San Pablo Bay.
Half dozen shr1m p hshing junks were
made out after passing the point and the
launcn was again put TO her speed, for the
people in the camps on the shore north
of McNears place had out the danger sig
nails again. This time the raiders had the
advantage for they cut off escape by run
ming between the fishers and their camp.
A little later the launch was alongside of
ore of the junks and Deputies Davis and
Cross went on board anG took charge.
An inspection of the large hold, which
was full OF shrimps. showed that the raid
had not been made in vain. The hold con-
tanned over a ton and of this about go
per cent were small fish of all kinds. The
i'boss' of the crew was told that four out
OF his FIVE men were under arrest and that
the fifth man would be left TO take the
Junk home When this information WAS
Unmarried to the others OF the crew they
became greatly excited, one so much so
that be proceeded to fail overheard, and
was only saved from drowning by fortu-
natelv get ing entangled in the net which
was at that moment being brought to the
uur.ace Whie the two deputies named