Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-08
Searching For Gloucester
Fishermen Arethusa.
Wanted For TrawI Fishing on
The New FOundIand Coast.
Two Other Captains Fined 500
Each and Pay Under Protest.

St. Johns, ~ F., April AT the re-
quest of the magistrate at Channel, a
port near Cape Race, the colonial gov
ernment has ordered the cruiser Fiona
to aprrehend the Gloucester. Mass,
schooner Arethusa and place Capt.
Morrisey under arrest on charge of
violating the New Foundland laws,
which prohibit the use of bull polls
(trawls) within three miles OF the
shore. Capt. Leroy Spinney of the
schooner Athlete and Capt. Charles
Rudolph of the schooner Harry w.
Nickerson, both of Gloucester, were
convicted yesterday of the same OF
fence and fined 500 each, which they
paid under protest. The dispute has
been referred to the Washington gov
eminent by Congressman Gardner OF
the Gloucester district and will prob
ably be carried to London.
The full account of the capture OF
the two captains indicate that 1t was
attended by several exciting incidents.
The particulars were received here to-
day from Channel. Last Saturday
morning Capts. Spinney, Rudolph and
Morrisey were summoned by legal pro-
cess to appear before the magistrate at
Channel yesterday on charges of vio-
lating the colonial laws. A writ was
served on each captain but all three
ignored the document and setting
sail, proceeded to sea in defiance Of
the courts orders
During the afternoon the Harry
Nickerson and Athlete encountered
heavy ice, field which extended for
miles. The ice was driven in along the
coast before high wind and endan-
gerec the two vessels which were
forced to return to port. The Arethusa,
which got away first was able to get
clear of the ice pack and escape. When
the Nickerson and Athlete dropped an
Choir in the harbor the magistrate is
sued warrants for the arrest of Capts.
| Spinney and Rudolph. Both command
ers submitted to arrest and were con-
| veyed to the court house and placed on
| trial. They were convicted of a breach
of the fishery regulations and ordered
| to pay a fine of 800 each. or to spend
two months in Jail. The fines were paid
under protest, upon receipt of advices
| from the vessel owners at Gloucester.
The magistrate issued warrant for
the arrest Of Capt. Morrisey Of the Ar
thusa and communicated with the CO.
| lcnial authorities, who ordered the
| cruiser Fiona to search for the default
| ing vessel
The Americans claim the right to
| fish with travis on the southwestern
| coast under the treaty of 1918, which
allows them to fish upon equal terms
with the New FoundIand fishermen.
They also claim that they are protect
ed by the temporary agreement known
as the modus vivendi until all the mat
| tiers in dispute are adjusted by The
Hague tribunal. to which the fisheries
question will shortly be submitted.
The colonial laws forbid the use of
the trawl even by New Foundland
| fishermen. and the government holds
that Americans are bound by these
regulations, which it says do not con-
fict with the treaty of 1918.
Unless some understanding is reach
ed within a short time, the New
Foundland fishing season will be a
poor one for them, the American cap
tains claim, as they are equipped for
trawl fishing only and the fleet is
awaiting the outcome of the repre-
sensations made at Washington.
In January. 1906, two American ves-
sells were fined by New Foundland Of
ficfalS for using travis.