The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-10-02

existed I'm December, ISIS. The State
fishery force was being maintained at
considerable expense and was accom-
plishing nothing. The commanders of
the navy had failed 60 inspire either
fear OF respect among the large dredg-
ing fleets, and citizens of the counties
bordering the natural oyster beds adj
vocated- this Establishment Of the navy
and return 10 the old days OF the
posse comitatuz
At 4 o'clock In the afternoon OF De-
cember 10, ISIS, the steamer McL4aue cast
on her mO0rings and slipped away from
the dock at Annapolis, armed Tor the
nrst time with "a underground brass
Dahlgrea howitzer, and headed FOR the
mouth Of Chester River where the
greatest lawlessness h0urished. The Nc
Lane should have been under the COM
mand OF Captain Turner. but Tor rea-
sons that afteFward led TO his transfer
70 the Thomas. he had turned the boat
over 70 his executive officer Capt. /
Thomas B. C. Howard.
Openly Defed the Law.
At sunset the mouth Of the Chester
River was fun OF dredgerss all appar- I
emily sailing for the lee Of Hell Point, /
the usual anchorage Of vessels in the
river. When darkness set In. they
changed their tactics and boldly set sail
for the forbidden waters. at the same
time setting their dredges for a nights
work
Captain Howard sighted them about 1
an hour after dark, and steamed boldly 1
about among them % satisfy himself 1
that the law was being violated The
dredgers knew something OF Towards J
makeup and prepared for a night. AMI
sail was gotten up and seven OF the
largest boats dashed themselves togeth- \
or ia line that nearly stretched across /
the river.
II had commenced 90 rain. and quite a /
EtiT breeze was blowing down the Fiv-t
CT. Howard called his men together and
made a short address 10 the men. he
told them that the time had come TO
teach the pirates a lesson. He frankly /
admitted 90 the crew that they were
Outnumbared more than fifty 20 one. butt
declared that even a few disciplined men
were more than a match for all the /
dredgers ga the river reckless and dar-
ing as they had proved themselves 70 /
be. He reminded his men that the peo-
pie Of Maryland would follow TIE details /
OF the battle with eageruess. ana that
~ was their duty 20 remove from the /
fair name Of their state the disgrace OF /
having laws which the authorities could
not execute. He then descended 10 the
pilot house from which point of dancer
he directed the fight
Pirates Commence Battle.
Steamiug slowly across the bows Of
the 0ncoming fleet. Howard commanded /
the dredgeTs 10 halt and be searched for
oysters. Their reply was a heavy rifle /.
IRE directed for the most exposed. parts
Of the McLanes and az the same time
they steered az -fuu speed for the Gov /
eminent boat with the purpoge Of board
ing her. Howard ordered fire o. be
opened on the rigging OF the dredEers.
and steadied the steamer as the recoI
of the large gun plunged her back into
the water
The pirates were not 20 be frightened
90 easily. and came on cheering and
airing. Every window or tie McLaue
was riddled with bullets, the woodwork
was torn into spIinters the tin and iron
vessels in the galley were shot fun Of /,
holes and finally the mate. Charles
Frazier. was shot through the uDBer
part Of the arm. l.
BY tins time the night had assumed /,
the proportions or a navy battle. TbeI
flashing OF rifles and booming of cannon. |,
the sDliuteriug OF the woodwork as the
bullets few thicker and thicker. the d
shouting OF the dredger captains as they d
directed the fight, the cheering OF the
pirates ana screaming OF wounded men !