CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 191 



not then two years old, she was docked in graving-dock at Esquimalt, 

 and coiipered to feet forward and 11 feet aft, at an expense to the 

 owners of 1,234 dol. 50 c, thereby enhancing the value of said vessel 

 from 8,250 dollars to very nearly 9,500 dollars. 



8. That tlie primary object in sparing no expense to efficiently equip 

 said vessel was that she might "keep the sea" in any Aveather, and 

 prolong her seal-hunting voyage until the latest moment of the season, 

 and return to her home-port in the following season with a catch in 

 excess of that already quoted. 



9. That the declarant sent said vessel down to San Francisco on the 

 24th March of the present year, in order to procure the best white 

 hunters, sealing boats, and sealing outht obtainable, and disbursed for 

 same and provisions 2,900 dol. 24 c. 



10. That said vessel left San Francisco on or about the 12th April of 

 the present year with a crew consisting of master, mate, carpenter, 

 gunner, cook, and steward, eight hunters, seventeen able and ordinary 

 seamen, and two ap])rentices, in all thirty-two in number, as per certiti- 

 cate of shipping master of said port. 



11. That said vessel entered and cleared from the port of Victoria 

 on the 25th dayof A})ril last, and sent by the declarant on a sealing 

 and hunting voyage in the ISorth Pacitic Ocean and Behring Sea at a 

 further cost to the owners of 2,975 dol. 19 c. for advances to hunters 

 and crew, provisions, sails, equipments and apparel, marine insurance, 

 and necessaries. 



12. That the total amount of cash at risk in said venture, from com- 

 mencement of voj^age to finish on the 28th July, was 15,425 dol. 43 c, 

 irrespe(;tive of the lay out or wages of master. 



13. That the said schooner entered Behring Sea on or about the 4th 

 July, and having previously transshipped her outside, or coast catch, 

 was hove-to on the 11th July, and boarded by Lieutenant Tuttle, of the 

 United States revenue cutter " llichard Eush" (as ])er sworn-to testi- 

 mony of the master, jnade ou arriving in Victoria, dated the 8tli August), 

 who searched the vessel, examined and returned ship's papers, and 

 ordered the schooner out of Behring Sea, threatening confiscation of 

 vessel and catch if caught in the act of killing seals, or with skins on 

 board after having been warned. 



14. That by reason of the threats and menaces of the said United 

 States cutter, the master Avas pre\'ented from further ])rosecuting his 

 legitimate business in said sea, and not Avishing to incur the responsi- 

 bility of tlireatened capture of his A^aluable vessel, returned to Victoria 

 on the 28th July, Avith only seventy-two skins on board, and Avhich 

 were on board at the time of search, though undiscovered by the board- 

 ing oflicer, at least, so I am informed and verily believe. 



15. That, from the number of skins taken by the "Triumph" last 

 year, Avith vessel partially equipped only, and with less experienced 

 hunters, I conscientiously believe that the said schooner in a full season, 

 unmolested and free from fear of molestation, would have taken in the 

 neighborhood of 2,500 skins. 



10. That the market value of seal-skins at the port of Victoria on or 

 about the 1st October instant, Avhen in the usual course of events here- 

 tofore the "Triumph" would have arriA^ed after a complete season's 

 voyage, as hereinbefore mentioned, Avas 8 dollars per skin. 



17. That the declarant, on behalf of himself and co-owners, claims 

 damages against the GoA^ernment of the United States of America for 

 the unlawful and uuAvarrantable interference, molestation, threat, and 

 menace of its said revenue cutter, Avhereby a heavy loss is incurred by 



