124 
BULLETIN or THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
(2) Willie McGowan., of Slielburue, N. S., seized by the Zahialca July 18, ^ about 
18 miles^ southwest of Palata, Copper Island. 
(3) Rosie Olsen, of Victoria, B. 0., seized by Mr. Grebnitski, July 20, in 55° 23' 
north latitude and 165° 27' east longitude, or about 10 miles northwest of Zapadni 
Mys, Bering Island. 
(4) Ariel, of Victoria, B, 0., seized by the Zahialca, on July 28, apparently about 
10 miles southwest of the Copper Island rookeries.^ 
(5) Vancouver Belle, of Vancouver, seized by the Zahialca, on August 12, about 
17 miles south of the southern extremity of Copper Island. 
(G) Marie, of Maitland, N. S., seized by Mr. Grebnitski, August 21, in 54° 30' 
north latitude and 108° 24' east longitude, or about O'* miles northeast from the south 
end of Copper Island, the nearest land. 
(7) Carnwlite, of Vancouver, seized by the Vitiaz (with Admiral S. O. Makarof 
on board), August 29, in 54° 29' north latitude and 168° 2' east longitude, about 0 
miles"’ southeast of the isthmus (Peresheyek) of Copper Island. 
In addition, (1) one boat and crew belonging to the schooner Marvin were seized by 
the natives on one of the Copper Island rookeries for killing seals. (2) Three boats 
and crews having clubbed seals on the rookeries were captured by the Zahialca on 
July 21, 9 miles from the southern extremity of Copper Island; they belonged to the 
schooner Sai/tcard. (3) Two boats and 6 sailors from the Annie C. ilioore were caught 
011 one of the rookeries by the natives. 
The number of skins taken from the British schooners was as follows: 
Xame of vessel. 
No. of 
skins. 
622 
379 
608 
594 
76 
139 
2, 418 
The confiscated skins were sold by auction, part in Petropaulski, part in Imndon. 
The prize moneys from the sale of the schooners and outfits were distributed 
among the captors. 
It will be seen that all of the British schooners were captured outside of the 3-mile 
limit, and diplomatic remonstrances and claims for damages were at once made by 
Great Britain. The Russian Government appointed a special commission to inves- 
tigate the seizures, and found that the Marie, Rosie Olsen, Cannolite, and Vancouver 
Belle vcere projicrly seized, as their boats had been sealing in territorial waters, while 
' By some mistake the date is <;iveu as June 6 in the report of the Bnssiau commission as rendered 
in the 26 Ann. Kej). Canad. Dej>t. Fish., p. clix. July 6, old style, is prohahly intended. 
- In the same re]iort the distance from the coast is given as 21 miles, altlumgh the position is said 
to have been 51° 21' north latitude and 167° 43' east longitude, which is a trille more than 18 miles 
from the nearest point of Copper Island. 
'^'I'he positions and distances in the rejtoTt quoted above are so contradictory that it is hard to 
tell which is meant to he correct. Thus, in the jrresent case, it is stated (p. CLix) that ‘‘The schooner 
Ariel was seized by the cruiser Zahiaka on the 16th July [old style] at 3.30 a. ni., in 54° 31' north 
latitude and 167° 40' east longitude. At the time of the seizure she was making away from the coast 
under easy sail, and was 21 miles from Copper Island.” Of course both statements can not be correct. 
■' Seven in the report above referred to. 
® Eight miles according to the above rei)ort. 
