Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-20
Capt. Alexander Mclean Ar
rested at Victoria, B. G.
SOUGHT FOR MONTHS
SAID TO HAVE CHANGED FLAGS
AND HIS VESSELS NAME.
Charged With illegal Pelagic Sealing
Reports Of Piratical
Practices.

Capt. Alex. Mclean was arrested Monday
at Victoria. b. c., by Canadian authorities
at the request Of the American consul act
ing for the Department OF Justice. under
an Indictment obtained more than a year
ago at San Francisco. on charge of con-
spiracy in fitting out the schooner Carmen
cita in violation OF the sealing laws. A
telegram received at the State Department
today announcing the arrest says that the
Carmencita had been refitted under tho
name Of the Acapulco. OF alleged Mexican
registry. and with crew made up of men
said to be as choice a band OF robbers and
cutthroats as have manned a pirate craft
since the days OF Capt. Kidd"
The Department OF Commerce and Labor
officials are of the opinion that the regis
tration papers obtained by the Acapulco
are fraudulent. and that another prosecu-
ton may be had in this respect The United
States government was much worried for
awhile. fearing international complications
with Mexico.
McLean's Piratical Career
The report of his arrest given out to-
day by the Department OF Justice. but the
story of his escapades was tod by Mr..
Murray. assistant secretary or Commerce
and Labor Mr. Murray is a good story
teller. and In relating the incidents OF Capt.
McLeans career he forced the cold shvers
up and down the backs OF half dozen re-
porters.
1t seems that Capt. Mclean was master
OF a ship known as the Carmencita. some
other ports where there may be a market
for seal skins. The Carmencita had no reg
ular abiding place except the high
According to the papers now In Mr.. Muir
rays possession. she has been engaged for
at least a year in unlawful sealing In the
Boring sea and adjacent waters. The
government officials having become con-
WINGED Of this fact, steps were taken TO
capture the pirate ship and her pirate crew.
Changed the Vessels Name.
But Capt. Mclean is no ordinary indi-
vidual. He ascertained that the law pro-
vided that the United States may take into
custody any American vessel caught at un-
lawful sealing or suspected to be operating
contrary to law. In a week or so after the
government officials got on her track the
Carmencita had changed her name to Aca-
pulco and had been registered as Mexican
vessel. She flew the Mexican flag at her
masthead, and the government officials rub
bed their heads and considered the situa-
ton.
They could not lay hands on a vessel be-
longing to a foreign nation. and Capt. Nc
Lean, wearing a broad and persistent smile,
proceeded to the prohibitive zone. where the
seals prosper and grow fat. Although con-
trary to law, he returned with go skins,
which. It is alleged. were offered for sale at
Victoria. The United States officials at Sc
attic got wind of the captains return and
took the matter up with the San Francisco
officials The result was that the federal
grand Jury returned an Indictment against
Capt. Mclean and most Of the members OF
From Seattle there sailed a revenue cut
ter with Instructions to capture me pirate
craft and strike the black flag. provided
the Carmencita displayed one. The officers
nd IF he cutter spent several
anxious hours cleaning their pistols ana
sharpening their swords. They dreamed OF
sighting the strange craft in the distance,
Of giving exciting chase. of overhaning tie
stranger and demanding surrender. They
also had visions of flashing the two ships
together and ngbting hand-to-hand battle
with Capt Mclean and his desperate COM
rades. 49, s.,.. 90. =
But the Canadian authorities quietly
placed him under arrest in Victoria ana
seized his pirate craft Both VIII be turned
action this government deems proper. The
arrest was made Monday. Capt. Mclean
started on his tour Of the seas In May.
1904, sixteen months ago.
A Protracted Search.
The search for Mclean had gone on since
May, 1904. His movements were known
greater part OF this time. but his course
in his pelagic sealing cruises has been
conducted SO cleverly and with so sharp
an observance of the letter OF the law mat
II liz said he has made these very technicali-
ties cover his alleged evasions OF tne law;
For Instance, he always has been carefui
not to be found within the three-miie limit
of the sealing preserves. and although an
American. carrying in large part an Eng
fish crew. he has not been registered under
either American or British laws. On that
account the reciprocal arrangement between
these countries for the protection OF the
sealing industry has not applied he mas
NJ
wegian registration. and apparently mas
been successful In retaining one or the
other despite the fact that he forfeited
Mexican papers at least once.
The schooner cleared at San Francisco IN
May of last year and 1t is suspected was
partly equipped for a sealing cruise at thht
time, but not sufficiently so to warrant the
United States revenue cutters taking her
into custody. 1t is suspected the schooner
sailed for a cove on the coast OF California
where sealing apparatus had been shipped
from time to time and there fitted out com
pletely. Evidence pointing to TINS Iaet Is IN
the hands Of the Department of Justice.
having been gathered by the secret service,
through the personal direction OF Chief VIII
kie 1t Is this evidence that was used In OBJ
tanning the indictment at San Francisco.
From the cove on the California coast the
schooner took to the high seas and several
times was seen In the vicinity of the Pribi-
Ion Islands. but never within the limit or
the preserves On August OF last year the
British cruiser Sheerwater found the
schooner Carmencita Just OF the three-mile
limit Of st. Paul Island and boarded her.
Her papers declared her to be Mexican
with woodside as master. The master IN
sisted he was woodside, but the British
authorities say they recognized him as NC
Lean. The fact that he flew the Mexican
flag prevented his arrest at that time on
the fiimsy evidence that could then be OBJ
tanned.
Fight With Russian Patrol.
About a fortnight before this the Car
mencita made a raid on the Copper Islands
and had a brush with the Russian patrol.
At least one of the crew was wounded. as
he was sent to Seattle. Wash. for treat
ment.
When the facts concerning the raid be-
came known the Mexican government re-
pudiated the registry. and the Carmencita
for time few the Norwegian flag 1t Is
understood the schooner changed names
several times in order to preserve registra-
ton. and that finally under the name OF
Acapulco" Mexican registration was again
secured.
Another encounter is matter of record.
An instance Is mentioned In the record of
the case where a member Of Capt Nc
MS xvau ay.1.f on fko crof NJ