Norfolk Virginian, January 23, 1891

AN OYSTER BATTLE.

Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Law enforcement

Five Dredgers Captured by the Police Boat.

Hot Exchange of Shots, in Which the Pirates are Victorious -- The Captured Dredgers Escape in the Magistrate's Boat.

ONANCOCK, Va., January 22.

The mollusk which has been the cause of so much strife for many years is again the breeder of discord. Last night Magistrate Cooper, of Tangier, arrived here having in custody five oyster dredgers and a number of witnesses, the former charged with dredging on Old Woman's marsh, near Tangier Island, a place set aside for tongers.

Your representative learned that several days ago Captain Corbin, of one of the Virginia police boats, detected a number of Maryland dredgers dredging on this ground. He bore down on them, but was met by a fusillade, to which he replied in kind. The fight waged became so warm, and the odds being heavily in favor of the pirates, Capt. Corbin retreated.

On his retreat he found Captain Foster, of the Virginia police boat Virginia, and they returned to the scene of the late conflict, but they found it deserted by the Maryland boats and overrun by two Tangier Island dredgers. The police bore down upon them and commanded them to surrender, which they did, the result being the capture of five boats. They were taken before Magistrate Cooper, of Tangier Island, who committed them to jail and brought them here last night. After landing, the party marched up to town. The five prisoners, watching their chance, gave the magistrate the slip, and going to the docks secured his boat and made off. Cooper, accompanied by Constable Gunter, returned to the island today. The names of the prisoners could not be learned, being unable to see the magistrate, and the only party knowing refusing to divulge them.