70 The Frederick Gerring, Jr. 



Q. How close did you pass? A. I was within 200 yards. 

 We were east quite a piece before the Gerring got alongside the 

 seine boat. 



Q. How far outside the limit was the net when they pursed 

 it? A. It was half a mile outside. 



Q. How far was the vessel herself outside the limit when 

 you passed going to White Island? A. She was nearly alongside 

 the seine boat. 



Q. And the seine boat was alongside the net? A. Yes. 



O. Now you heard the testimony of the captain of the Aber- 

 deen; will you tell me what is the rate of current there at this 

 particular date? A. No, I cannot. 



Q. Was there any wind at the time you passed? A. There 

 was just enough for the Gerring to get alongside of her net. 



Q. With her sails balanced, and half a mile away, and the net 

 in the sea, would she be carried half a mile in the course of an 

 hour? A. Yes, with the swell and the current. 



Q. Further than that, I suppose ? A. It may be. 



Q. What is your judgment about that? A. That day, ac- 

 cording to the way I was carried in myself, she would. 



Q. The head of your vessel with the heavy swell would be 

 constantly changing? A. She would be slapping about. 



Q. That would make it more difficult to take exact bearings? 

 A. No. 



Q. You will not say that they had not commenced to get out 

 their fish when you passed? A. No. 



O. Do you know a man named Capt. John McKinnon that 

 you met at Sydney? A. Yes. 



Q. You had a conversation with him? A. Yes. 



Q. Did you tell him that at the time the Gerring was seized 

 she was outside of any land, about 4 miles off? A. No. 



O. You were in Sydney? A. Yes. 



O. Do you remember at what time? A. I got into Sydney? 



Q. While your vessel was in the harbor, you met McKinnon 

 on board of your own vessel? A. Yes. 



Q. And you had a conversation with him about the seizure? 

 A. Yes. 



Q. Did you on that occasion tell McKinnon that the Gerring 

 was outside of any land 4 miles when they set their seine? A. 

 No, I said he was outside the limit when he set his seine. 



