“Things Not So Good,” Says Virginia Officer on Trail of Marylanders.
NORFOLK Va., July 24.—Investigation will be begun Monday by Capt. A. B. Hudgins, commanding the gunboat Commodore Maury, flagship of the Virginia oyster navy, into the firing by alleged Maryland crab poachers upon the Virginia patrol boat Marguerite, in Tangier Sound, which was reported by Capt. Anderton of the Marguerite to Commissioner of Fisheries Harry, R. Houston yesterday.
Commissioner Houston, at Hampton, late today, received from Onancock, Va., the following cryptic message signed by Capt. Hudgins: “Found things not so good. Will stay several days and start investigation Monday.”
The Commodore Maury, which left her base at Hampton last night. reached Tangier Sound shortly after daybreak today. Mr. Houston inferred from Capt. Hudgins’ wire that none of the alleged poachers, who are charged with taking undersized crabs from Virginia waters in violation of the Virginia law, were located by the Commodore Maury during the morning.
The Maryland crabbers, it was said, usually lay off work the greater part of Saturday, making a week end holiday with Sunday.
The Commodore Maury was sent to Tangier Sound last night to reinforce the Marguerite, whose master, Capt. Anderton, yesterday reported a pitched battle with the alleged poachers in which the crabbers were scattered to the shallow waters and the marsh lands, where they continued rifle fire upon the patrol boat.
The Marguerite withdrew when her ammunition was exhausted, going to Accomac, where she reported the gun fight as the climax to a series of incidents in which the Marylanders resorted to sniping.
The Evening Star, Washington, DC, July 25, 1926
