Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-18
Schooner Agnes C.Dona-
hoe Outfit, and Cargo
Seized by Uruguay Government
for Illegal Sealing.
Captain, Mates and Grew Sentenced to
Prison.. England Will Investigate.

Halifax. n. S. May 1.-THE Nova
Scotia sealing schooner AEres G. DOna.
hoe. with her outfit and cargo of 4O(
seal skins. has been confiscated by the
t'rnsayan government and her COM
mander. Capt Matthew Ryan and crew
of II men have been cast irto prison tC
serve terms from six months to three
years for alleged violations of the laws
of that country. This information
reached the owners of the vessel in this
city. today. in cablegram from the
agents for the Balcom sealing fleet at
Mont"vidio. The case has been pending
since 1908 and the decision of the court
was only delivered. late yesterday.
The Agnes G. DOnahOe sailed from
Halifax on a sealing -oyage on Sep
tcmbcr Is. 1903. and was seized, five
miles off the coast Of Montilado. by two
C"ugayan gunb0atS, one of which SEM
a shot across the scho,ners bow. when
her captain refused 70 heave to. The
DonahOe was under full sail at the time
When the cutters from the warship:
came alongside the schooner and the
sailors began to climb ever the rails
the seal hunters. fearing for their lives
wanted to- fire on them. but Capt. Ryan
| ordered them to lay DOWN their arms.
This vessel with captain and crew
We're taken to MOntevidio and have
since been held in captivity. the guards
refusing them permission to go ashore
The captain was charged with raidins
the seal rockies and hunting in Urugay-
an waters without permission Of the
government of that country. The case
oil loo Tun, Ind ant
has only now been delivered. The seiz-
uro has been the subject of debate in
the Canadian Parliament and it has al
| 50 been placed before the British gov
eminent No action was taken, however
by either government, as they Were
Awaiting the decision of the court OF
| the Trrgayan republic. Now that def
| mite action has been taken it is likely
that the British government will send
lWarships to MontevidiO and demand an
investigation.
Captain Matthew Ryan. who belongs
| to North sydney, c. b., was sentenced
to three years. William Ryan. first
mate. and William Porrier. second
mate. received two years each and Il
| Of the crew six months each penal SER
vituGe. The vessel originally had a
crew of 20 men. but five of them made
their escape. two of them getting away
on a United States yarship and they
reached New York. coming from there
to their homes in Nova Scotia, two
months ago.
The Agnes c.. DOnahoe registered 90
tons ana with her outfit vas valued al
$40 900
TIE owners of the Agnes DonahOe
communicated with their agents at
| Ottawa and. tonight. were informed
that the matter was discussed in the
House. today. and that Sir Wilfrid
| Laurirr. had stated that the case
| would be Immediately brought to the
Iattention of the British government.
Some time when the case was before
| the Eri,ish Parliament il was moved "a
ask Great Britain TO send a warship IL
Investigate the case. Finally il was de-
ciGcd to await the disposition of the
case by the courts of Erugayan. Pre-
| mier Laurirr has a copy of the evidence
introduced in the ease.