STRUGGLE ON KETCH.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18265, 26 December 1924, Page 13

STRUGGLE ON KETCH.

■ - SKIPPER DEFIES BAILIFF.

TASMANIAN CREW ARRESTED.

(RT CABLE— PRESS ASSOCIATION— COrTRIOHT) (AUSTBAUAS AND K.E. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) HOBART, December 24. Some time ago, while endeavouring to effect tho' beizuro of tho fishing ketch Dauntless, which was alleged to bo trapping crayfish- off St. Helens, the bailiff, Challenger, accompanied by Trooper Blair, boarded the vessel during tho night. They, roused tho . skipper, who admitted the offenco, but eaid that ho was not going to be .taken alive, and called on tho crew of three to aid him.

' Challenger produced his authority and warned the.men of the seriousness of their action. He told! them tiiat tho boat was now in his charge. Nevertheless, tho crew rushed forward and started to raijse the anchor. Blair and Challenger endeavoured to stop them, and a fierce • struggle for possesion of the ketch, lasting half an hour, ensued. Tho Kails being set, tho police gavo way in face of the larger opposition. Challenger informed tho skipper and the crow that they wero under arrest, but tho vessel stood out to sea. Blair and Challenger decided that if they could get the, captain off tho boat they might bo able to manage tho men.

The captain was then asked to tako Blair ashoro in a motor-boat, which he eventual']y agreed to do. Challenger immediately headed the ketch for Hohart, but the wind dropped l and sho became becalmed.

Tho captain later returned and, after being made aware of Challenger's intentions, rushed him. In tho ensuing slrugglo both fell over tho side, but, fortunately, landed in tho motor dinghy alongside. Challenger, having no means of defence, was. forced to submit, and was conveyed,ashore. Warrants have ben issued for arrest of the. master. William McKay, and tho crew of the Daumtless.

Late on Monday night tho Dauntless crept into tho Tamar. river, and, under shelter of darkness, tho crew boarded a train for Hobart for tho purpose of giving .them selves up to the police. The vessel was known to be in the vicinity," and the men were arrested alx>ard tho train shortly before they reached Hobart.