New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-21
SEALING PIRATE CAUGHT.
CaDt0in Mclean arrested at Vic-
tOria. B. &.

Washington Sept 20-Captain Alexander Mclean
WAS arrested Monday at Victoria, B. c.. by
Canadian authorities at the request OF the Amer
lean consul acting for the Department OF Justice.
under an Indictment obtained more than year
ago at San Francisco. or charge Of conspiracy in
fitting out the schooner Carmencta In violation
of the sealing laws telegram received at the
State Department to-day announcing the arrest
says that the Carmencita had been rehtted suder
the anne Of Acapulco. of alleged Mexican registry
and with crew made up Of said to be as
'chotce a band of robbers and cutthroats as have
manned pirate craft since the days OF Captain
Kidd
The search for Mclean has proceeded since May,
lq0l His movements have been known the greater
part Of this time but his pelagic sealing cruises
have been conducted so cleverly and with sharp
an observance of the letter Of the law that it Is
said he has made these technicalites cover his
alleged evasions of the law. For instance he all
wavs has been careful not to be found within the
three-mile limit the sealing preserves. and al
though an American. carrying in large part an
English 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 70 him. He has operated under both Mex
team and Norwegian registration and apparently
has been successful in retaining one o. the other.
despite the fact that he forfeited Mexican papers
least once.
In September 1904. the Carmencita was deprived
~ Mexican papers The schooner had cleared at
San Francisco in May oE that year. and it is sUS-
n.c+ed was partly equipped for sealing cruise
that time hut not sufficiently warrant the
United States revenue cutters taking her into Gus
+ody II is believed that the schooner sailed for =
cove on the coast Of California where sealing ap-
naratus had been shipped from time 20 time. and
there completely fitted out. Evidence pointing 70
this fact is in the hands Of the Department Of
Justice having been gathered by Secret Service
officers through the personal direction OF Chief
Vtlke This evidence used in obtaining the
indictment al San Francisco.
From the cove on the California coast The
schooner took TO the high seas. and was seen sew
.ral times the Prbilon Islands. but ne, or
within the limit OF the preserves. on August 8.
1904 the British cruiser Sheerwater found 'he
schooner Carmercta Just off the three-mte limit
of $. Paul Island and boarded her Her papers
declared her 10 he Mexican with Woodside as ma $
ter. The master insisted that he Woodside but
the British authorities saw they recognized him as
Mclean. The fact that he few the Mexican flag
prevented hts arrest that time on the himsy evi-
dence :hat could ne obtained About a fortnight
befoye this the Carmencita made raid the Cop
per islands and had n brush with the Russian
patrol. AT least one OF the wounded as
81 sent TO Seattle. Wash. for treatment. When
the facts concerning the raid became known the
Mexican government TepuGiated the registry. ana
the Carpencita for a time flew the Norwegian ma 3.
It is understood that the schooner changed names
several times order preserve regiStratlon ana
that dnally, under the name Acapulco. Mexican
registration was again secure