The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-06-07

The Galveston Tribune of Monday
contained the following relative TO
the seizure Of American fishing YES
sells by the Mexican government, as
told by the men who reached the
Texas port on board a Norwegian
steamer:
Emaciated and weary from cOnfne-
ment and detainment by the Mexican
government at Progresso, the crews
of the American fishing boats from
Galveston. Pensacola and Mobile,
which were unduly arrested and
brought before the -deXican authorl-
ties. were taken OF the Norwegian,
steamer Galveston early to-day after
having remained on the vessel in
quarantine since the arrival in the
roads Saturday. Boarding Officer
Shearer Of the custom house went out
70 the Galveston on the government
launch Hawley. ana, after the usual
fOrmalities. the Is men were taken 10
the landing place at the Gulf Fish
cries. where friends were greeted
and the story Of their capture and
6etainment was told.
Capt Spurlin of the Lizzie B.
Adams, belonging TO the Gulf Fish
cries of this place, says the Mexican
authorities had no reason whatever
for making the arrests. and he and
every one Of the smack's crew went
or the stand and swOre that the YES
sci was 10 miles of Triangles reef
and that glasses had to be used on
the smack to discern the light at that
point, the distance being so great.
We were more than 100 miles from
the Mexican coast" said Capt Spur
lin, "and were hOmeward bound with
six boxes OF FISH. We were fishing
along that night but at no place did
We have our lines out within 70I
miles OF the reef"
OF their capture Capt. Spurlin said
the Mexican gUnbOat approached
their vessel and after firing a shot
across her bow commanded the
Adams to show her colOrs. The Mex
lean captain, through his interpreter,
ordered Capt. Spurlin TO come TO his
vessel for a conference. No excuse
was given by the commander for
holding US up" continued Capt. Spur
lin, except that we were told that
our vessel had no permit
After taking six Of cur men
aboard and putting an equal number
Of marines on the Adams, she was
taken into Progresso. Reaching that
port we were taken ashore under heavy
guard. and after being detained in a
house at the wharf were summoned
one at a time before the custom
house officials who questioned us re-
garding our location and whether or
not we were fishing in their waters"
Capt. Spurlin and his men were re-
leased under bond and since then
they have been free to 20 about the
city. but could not come home. None
OF the Adams crew were put in fail.
The fiSh were thrown into the sea
after the stencil OF the rOtting car
so became unbearable. Of the crew
OF eight, five. including Captain Spur. /
lin, arrived here. Two Of the sailors
got into a fight between them.
selves while in Mexico and they arel
now in jail there. One Of the meuI
went to New York.
Capt. John MalftanO of the Persia
cola fishing smack and his crew of
six sailors, with the exception Of thei
cook who went to New York With
the fishermen from the Adams, JONI
the other fishermen in disclaimingl
any attempt at fishing nearer than
ten miles Of any reef. and as the case
with the Adams, the Pensacola boat
was none than 100 miles from the
Mexican shore. The boat of Can't
MalhtanO (Sallie Stearns) had gone
70 Alusrsn for some -four ana other
provisions, as has been previously
stated In the Tribune. and they wereI
making no effort to fish. nor had thew
been fishing for three days. Their
food was running low, and as Is all
ways the case land they have a perl
.ect right to do sol the Stearns put
INTO the harbOr in a friendly way tol
get supplies. They were captured
and taken TO Progesso on April 19.
To-day Manager Mum of the fish
cries here received instruction from
ne Warren Fisheries at Pensacola to