Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 August 1889 — ENGLISH VESSEL SEIZED. [ARTICLE]

ENGLISH VESSEL SEIZED.

An Illegal Sealer Captured In Behring Sea: by a United State* Revenue Cutter. The steamer Dora arrived at San Francisco from Behring Sea, Tuesday night, and brings the first detailed news of the capture of the British sealer Black Diamond, by the United Stateq revenue cutter Richard Rush. July 11 the Rush overtook the Black Diamond and ordered her to heave to. The captain of the Black Diamond refused to do this. Thereupon the commanaer of the Rush ordered a lowering of ports and running out of guns, which caused the schooner to heave to. Captain Shepard and Lieutenant Tuttle boarded the English craft and asked for her papers. The officers of the Black Diamond offered them no armed resistance, but refused to deliver the ship’s papers. Captain Shepard at once broke open the cabin and forced the hinges off the strong box and the captain’s chest, thereby securing the papers. A search of the vessel disclosed 103 sealskins, which had been taking in Behring sea. Captain Shepard placed a non-commissioned officer from the Rush in charge of the Black Diamond, and ordered the vessel to be taken to Bitka to await further instructions. The captain of the Black Diamond made the statement that, when in Victoria, he had been ordered to pay no attention in case he was overtaken by the Rush and requested to heave to. He said he would not have surrendered if the Rush had had an inferior force to that of his own. A dispatch from Ottawa, says: The latest account of piracy by the United States authorities in Behring Sea continues to be much discussed in official circles. A dispatch has been received atlthe fisheries department from Mr. Baker, M. P., giving additional particulars of the seizure of the Black Diamond, It appears that the vessel was seized when seventy miles from land. Mr. Baker says that a strong feeling of resentment and indignation has been engendered among the inhabitants of British Columbia by this wanton outrage and that a meeting of citizens of Victoria is to be held to express their indignation. A dispatch from Victoria says: Indignation is felt here over the seizure of the schooner Black Diamond in Behring Sea by the United States revenue cutter Richard Rush. A public meeting will probably be held and resolutions passed for transmission to the Imperial Parliament, asking that the Imperial Government interfere in behalf of British vessels engaged in the sealing trade. It is believed here that if but one man has been placed aboard the Black Diamond her captain will not obey the Rush’s orders, and will sail for Victoria instead of Sitka. This seizure will be made the basis of action for arriving at some definite understanding with the United States as regards the Behnng Sea difficulty. The government here and the British .gov-, eminent have only been waiting for of the tom nj to formal protest will be entered and a

lemand made <m the United States lor C explanation of the attitude they ve taken and the grounds and evidence upon which they bese their claim !o exclusive jurisdiction on Behring Sea. A special to the New York Herald from Montreal says: The city is in a perfect furore of excitement over the leisure of the schooner Black Diamond. < (Expressions are heard on every hand that unless the vessels are released and full indemnity paid by the United: States that the Government must stand the consequences of what may follow. There is almost as much disgust expressed at the action of England in this business, and if she will not help Canada to uphold her honor it is openly hinted that the sooner Canada takes the defense of that honor in her own hands the better. Both the morning papers publish strong leaders demanding, immediate action on the part of England or our own Government to prevent these seizures or else break off relations with the United States until a final settlement of the trouble is arrived at. In a lengthy article, the Herald (Liberal organ) says: “Canadian vessels have been seized, confiscated, sold and their owners ruined, but the years slip by and chance of redress fades with departing time. The Government of Canada is far more concerned in securing office for ministerial relations than in protecting the vessels of Canadians or caring for the honor of that flag to which is added the armorial bearings of the Dominion. There is neither profit noi honor to be gained by allowing the emblem of the nation to remain the plaything of irresponsible people in the Pacific. There is, however, a certain amount of danger to the peace of the two great nations, Great Britain and the United States, in these continued seizures of Bkippers. Despairing of protection from their government, they may take it upon themselveis to defend themselves, and thus bring about a state of things which no Government, Canada perhaps excepted, could quietly ignore. It would be the part of wisdom to come to an understanding on this Behring Sea matter and if necessary protect the Beals by international agreement. Anything would be bettor than pontinued winking at the buccaneering which is now going on in the Northern pacific.” The Government orapn also Publishes a strong protest against the Seizures. A special from Washington Bays Although the Black Diamond, aftei first disobeying Captain Shepard’s orders to heave to, changed her mind when she saw the guns of his vessel run out, yet it is Baid in British Columbia that other sailing vessels will not be so tractable. Several of them went north this year with the expressed determination to fire on the Rush if she attempted to board them. Captain Rodd, of the Maggie, was one of those understood to be ready for hostilities, and the Maggie is known to have entered Behring Sea. The Sapphire which left Victoria last March with s hunting crew of sixty Indians fully armed, was reported to be another ol the belligerents, and Captain Petit ii credited with declaring that he would shoot any American official who should cross his rail. There is some curiosity to know whether these and similai threats will be carried out. But then peed be no anxiety on this score. Some Irritation and a sense of grievance have been caused in the Dominion by the renewal of the policy of arresting sealers but that is a different matter from a private craft undertaking to carry on war with a government vessel acting under definite instructions and com polled to obey them. Besides, these sailing vessels might not find resistant* expedient. With all the arrests of oui Gloucheeter and Portland fishermen during the last three years, there hai never been a shot fired or a blow struck Bghinst the Dominion authority, unjust as these have sometimes seemed. Tht same way the owners and captains ol the sealing vessels recognize that ifbtu Government is wrong iff the present controversy it will have to pay, whil< in opening fire on American Govern ment officers they would risk evenmon than having their vessels sent to the bottom. —~ A dispatch from Victoria, B. O. M* day saye: Victoria is in a great state i excitement, the cause being the arrival of the Black Diamond. She came into port Sunday evening and dropped anchor. She had one American seaman on board, John Hawkins. He was appointed special officer by the captain of the Rush and ordered to take the Diamond to Sitka. Captain Owens, of the Diamond, told Lieut Tuttle he would not sail for Sitka, bnt would bring his vessel to Victoria. If they wanted the Diamond to go to Sitka they would have to put a stronger crew than the schooner’s aboard. The Rush steamed away and Owens sailed toward Ounalaska, thinking that there were British warships in that vicinity, intending to demand protection. He sailed into Ounalaaka harbor and boarded a schooner from Port Townsend. He was told there were no men-of-war in the vicinity. Owens told the American seaman he would sail for Victoria, which he did. He landed his Indians on the east coast of Vancouver. The Rusk took the Diamond’s seal-skins, about eighty, but left everything else. The American seaman has made an official report to Vice-American Consul Marvin, who has telegraphed the facts to Consul Stevens, of Ban Francisco. Hawkins says he was well treated by the crew of ne schooner. The greatest satisfaction is felt here at the escape of the DiamQnd. It is thought that the United Btates will certainly demand the return of the schooner, which the British government dare not give ffp- It will bring the matter to a speedy conclusion. After the capture, and as soon as the Rush was loet sight of, a southwest course was steered by the Black Diamond right for Victoria. Hawkins from the start saw it was impossible to attempt to take charge of affairs in his own hands, and consequently lay in his bunk nearly the whole time, not attempting to interfere John Hawkins, the American seaman, mtu when he was put aboard the steamer, he said to his officers: “Instead of taking her to Sitka they may go to Victoria.*’ They did not answer him. Mr. Hommley, collector of customs here, says he is of the opinion that when Hawkins was put aboard the Black Diamond the people on the Rush did not care whether the to Victoria or not, as long as she gat out ol the sea and stopped destroying n«b, Hawkins left everything to the American consul here * who has wired the Washington authorities about the matter. A Government officers named Bunting strived at Winnipeg, Sunday, from Esquimault. B. C. He says that

and two torpedo boats, of the British Pacific squadron, have gone north to Behring sea, with open orders. Tuff more ships were ordered to Victoria, and are now on the way. Banting says She captain of the ship Who first brought he news of .the seizure of the sealer. Black Diamond, by the United States sutter Rush, made s statement to Admiral Heneage, after which telegrams sere sent to Ottawa, and cablegrams to London, the answers to which were received the same diy, and the next lay the squadron left for the north, Breat excitement prevails in Victoria, red the people are clamoring for the \ government to take active measures to irevent any further interference with iritish ships in the open sea. Bunting itates that Some of the sealers will fight sefore they will submit to seizure, they seing well armed for such an emergency. American Schooner Seized. Halifax, Aug. 5.— A dispatch to the Lmerican Consul-General announces the seizure, at Guysboro. of the American schooner Vidette. No further paruculars are given.