PERIOD PROM 1871 TO 1905. 885 



In the case of the ShMoh, she came into the harbor about 6 p. m. on 

 the 9th of August, at Liverpool, and a signal was fired in her case the 

 same as the others. 



When she anchored I boarded her, arid the captain reported she was 

 in for water. I told him it was then too late to report at the customs 

 till morning, and that he must not allow his crew on shore ; also that 

 I would leave two men on board to see that he did not otherwise break 

 the law, and that my instructions were carried out. 



In the morning I called for the captain, when taking the Julia and 

 Ellen's captain ashore. When there I told him, as I did the other, 

 that his men could go on taking water while he was reporting, so 

 that he could sail when he returned, and not be delayed. This they 

 did not do. 



I have reason to know that it was not water this vessel came in for, 

 as several of the crew lived there, and it was for the purpose of letting 

 his men ashore, and not for taking water, that he put in. He after- 

 wards emptied six barrels of water, stating that they were sour, and 

 fooled all day filling them, delaying the time, that he might get his 

 crew on shore. I refused to allow his crew on shore for any other 

 purpose than to take water, after completing which, the weather being 

 fine, I ordered him to sea in the evening. 



The signals that were fired were not intended to make them come-to 

 quickly, but as a signal for them to either round-to or show their 

 ensign. 



After the Shiloh sailed the harbor master informed me that she 

 landed two men at the mouth of the harbor, 1 miles down, before she 

 reported, and the evening she sailed she called after dark and picked 

 them up. 



In many cases it is an understood thing between the captains and 

 crews to let the men ashore and then make out they have deserted. 

 In all cases where a vessel puts in for shelter the captain reports, and 

 the rest of his crew are not allowed ashore, as the vessel only put in 

 for the privilege of shelter and for no other purpose. 



When she puts in for water, after reporting, the captain is allowed 

 to take his boats and the men he requires to procure water, and the 

 rest remain on board, after which he is ordered to sea. When in for 

 repairs he is allowed all the privileges he requires after reporting, and 

 when ready is ordered to sea. In all cases, except when in for repairs, 

 I place men on board to see that the law is not violated, as many of 

 those vessels put into the harbor and make taking water and seeking 

 shelter an excuse either to get men or land them, or to allow them a 

 chance to see their friends, or to get goods ashore if the vessel is on 

 her way from American ports to the fishing grounds, and have landed 

 men here and at other ports on this coast in my absence. 



In one case in this port, a vessel, finding I was in the harbor, let 

 men take a boat and land, she going on her way home to the States. 

 That is why I put men on these vessels, to keep them from breaking 

 the law under cover of night. I might remark here that the collector 

 of customs at Liverpool informed me that the Shiloh on her previous 

 voyage remained in port five days after being ordered out, delaying 

 for the purpose of letting the men be with their friends. 



Now that they are not allowed all the privileges they once enjoyed, 

 it is an outrage on my part. 



