Furthermore, I declare that on the passage down to this port he again
explicitly stated that he made the seizure on account of whaling in the
Okotchk, and said that if I had not had two whales on board he would
have released me and simply warned me to leave the sea.
Commander Charles V. Gridley, U. S. N.,
Commanding U. S. S. “Marion,”
Vladivostock.
Vladivostock, September 20, 1892.
I have the honor to address you with reference to the illegal seizure
of the American bark Cape Horn Pigeon, of New
Bedford, by the Russian authorities.
I sailed from San Francisco in command of the Cape
Horn Pigeon on the 7th of December last on a whaling
voyage, and cruised in the Yellow Sea and Japan Sea until the
beginning of July, when I visited this port on my way north to the
Okotchk Sea, and applied to the authorities here for permission to
enter the bays along the coast of Siberia to hunt for whales; but
this was refused.
I then proceeded on my way to the Okotchk Sea, and up to the time of
my seizure had taken two whales. On the 10th of this month, while
cruising for whales in latitude 46° 30’ and longitude 146° 35’, and
being then 126 miles from Sagalien Island, and Yeterup Island being
84 miles distant, we were boarded by a boat from a sealing schooner
called the Marie, which had been confiscated
by the Russian authorities, and was then manned by Russian sailors
and commanded by a Russian naval officer.
The said officer came on board and demanded my papers, and then
informed me that he had seized the ship for whaling in the Okotchk
Sea, and that the same was contrary to the Russian law, as this was
a closed sea.
I protested against the seizure of my ship, and told the officer that
I had never heard of the Okotchk being a closed sea. No attention
was paid to my protest, however, and said officer and his armed crew
then took possession of my ship, and ordered my officers and crew to
go on board of the schooner and to take her to Vladivost ck, which
they did, arriving here on the 15th instant.
Yesterday evening they were ordered on shore, and left without food
or shelter. Some of the men’s effects are still on board, but they
are not allowed to go and get them.
I have been on board of the Russian man-o’-war and to the various
officials on shore, but can get no satisfaction or information from
any of them.
My log book is in the possession of the authorities, or I should
submit it to you for examination.
I submit that the seizure of my vessel was illegal and unjustified
and without precedent. I have visited the Okotchk Sea five
consecutive seasons, but have never heard of any objection before,
nor have I ever been warned not to go, although I have visited this
port four different times.
I have always been careful not to infringe the Russian law in any
respect, and have carefully abstained from entering the bays or
whaling within the 5-mile limit.
As there are no United States consular authorities at this port, I
must request your assistance and advice in this matter, and would
ask you to address the proper authorities with a view to having some
decision arrived at as speedily as possible.
I have this day cabled a report of my seizure to the United States
minister at St. Petersburg, a copy of which I inclose.
I remain, sir, your obedient servant,
Commander Charles V. Gridley, U. S. N.,
Commanding U. S. S. “Marion,”
Vladivostock.
I certify that the above report is true.
