EPIC OF THE SEA

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 December 1924, Page 9

EPIC OF THE SEA

EXTRA EDITION.

THRILLING FIGHT

CAPTURE OF A KETCH

A DEFIANT SKIPPER

A thrilling tale of a fight at sea between, officers ,of the law and the crew of a vessel which was illegally engaged in trapping crayfish is reported from Hobart to-day. A desperate struggle ensued, ..during which the skipper said he would never be. taken alive.

BY CABLE—PBES3 ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT .(Received Dec. 24, 12i30 p.m.)" ■ HOBART, Dec. 24. ; Some time ago, ■while endeavouring to effect the seizure of the fishing Ketch Dauntless, which was alleged to be trapping crayfish off St. Helens, the water bailiff (Challenger), accompanied by Tropper Blair, boarded the vessel during, the night and roused the 'skip-' per, who admitted the offence, .but said . he was not going to be taken, alive. -He ' called on his crew of three to aid him. Challenger produced his authority and warned the men of the seriousness of . their action. ,He told them that the - hoati was now in liis'charge. Nevertheless the crew rushed forward, and start ed to raise the anchor. Blair and Challenger endeavoured to stop them, and a fierce struggle for the possession of the ketch, lasting half an hour, ensued. When the sails had beenset the police way in face of the larger opposition..', Challenger informed .the skipper and crew that they were under arrest, but the-vessel stood out to sea. .Blair and Challenger, decided that if they : could get the captain off the boat,they might- be able to manage the men. The captain was asked to; take Blair ashore in a motor boat,' which he eventually agreed to do. Challenger immediately headed the ketch for Hobart, but the wind dropped and she became becalmed. The captain later returned and. .after being made aware of Challenger’s intentions, rushed at him. In the, en- > suing struggle both fell over the side, but fortunately landed in the motor dinghy alongside. Challenger, having ' no means of defence, was forced to submit and was conveyed ashore. Warrants .have been issued -lor the arrests of-the master. William McKay, and the crew of the Dauntless. \ Late on Monday night the Dauntless crept into the Tamar river, and under the shelter of darkness the crew boarded a train for Hobart'for the purpose, they said, of giving themselves up to the . police. The, vessel was known to be in the vicinity, ancl the men were arrested aboard the train shortly bcfore they reached Hobart.