The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-10 00:00:00

CAPTURE OF AN ENOR3fOUS SHARK.

For a length of time an enormous shark has been
cruising about the hour of Port Jackson, which from
its dimensions has obtained the sobriquet of " Big Ben,"
and whether or not the monster captured yesterday
morning by T. Mulhall and J. Rice be the identical
" Benjamin" it is difficult to assert, but no doubt can
exist as to ita being the largest fish of its species ever
caught within Sydney Heads. Yesterday while the
shipping reporter to the lonpire was going down the
harbour for the purpose of boarding a vessel arrived
from Valparaiso, the carcase of a horse was observed
floating on the water a short distance from Pinchgut
Island, and a few minutes afterwards a shark was noticed.
to be taking its morning meal off the horse. The first
idea was to catch him, and Captain Allan, of the
Favourite, having kindly lent a harpoon to the Empire's
boatmen, the iron was bent on to the boat's tow line,
about 30 fathoms in length, and James Rice took his
station at the bow of the boat as harpooner. The
monster was soon discovered, busily engaged in its
repast, and so intent in its desire to satisfy the cravings
of his appetite, that he allowed the boat to approach
within striking distance, offering no interrup-
tion, and Rice plunged the harpoon with great
dexterity through the tick of the fish, the iron
taking a firm hold under the back fin. The shark
made a tremendous resistance after receiving the wound,
and, in its endeavour to escape towed the boat from
Pinchgut to Mossman's Bay Point ; bat the skill displayed.
throughout by Mulhall-and Rice in the retention of their
prey defied ad the powers of this monster of the deep,
and although he attacked the boat, leaving some of his
teeth in her stein, he sr as eventually overcome, and with
the assistance of two watermen, named Oliffe and.
Harman, was towed to the Circular Quay, and landed in
the cove, near Fort Macquarie. Some idea may be formed
of the size of this fish when it is stated that 18 met}
were required to haul it on the wharf, and that with
♦ their united efforts it was no easy task. Its dimensions
are :—Length from the dose to the extremity of the tail,
13 feet; circumference at widest part, 9 feet ; length of
back fin, 2 feet ; of tail fin, 24 feet ; of flippers, 24 feet
diameter from nipper to nipper, 9 feet ; diameter of jaw
when extended, 1 foot 9 inches ; and the weight cannot
be less than I 4 tons. .It has two rows of teeth nearly
an iuch apart, and about three quarters of an inch long.
The body has been "laid out" at the Circular Wharf,
and during yesterday afternoon hundreds paid a visit to
it. It will remain for examination as long as possiblq
without being offensive to the olfactory nerves. As a
natural curiosity it is well worth seeing, and will amply
repay any person feeling disposed to walk to the Circular
Quay and inspect it. Another shark of similar dimen-
sions, and in about the same locality, was attacked by
the Harold's boat, but without success, the iron having.
been twice drawn, and the fish afterwards escaped puts
suit.—Sydney Empire.

THE WEAR SHIPWRIOHTS.—Tbe strike of the Wear
shipwrights terminated on Saturday in favour of the men,
the masters having agreeed to continue the wages at G. per
day. The cause of the turn out, it will be remembered,
was a notice of reduction to ss. per day.
IMPEIiONMENT OF AN INNOCENT MAN.—lncidentally it
came out on Saturday, in the evidence given by Henry
Attwell, in the case of Seward and Anderson, charged with
forgery at the Mansion house, that a Jahn Markham had
bees-mistaken when walking along Oxford street for the
prisoner, James Anderson, and on the trial of Attwell'e
brother with him for forgery, was convicted and sentenced
to four years' penal servitude, while Attweh's brother was
acquitted. By the exertions of Mr nese, the then under
sheriff, essisted by the Rev. J. Davis, ordinary of New-
gate, such evidence was placed before the Secretary of State,
that after its careful examination by the detective
police, the unhappy Markham wee, with Mr. Mul-
len's c nsect, on the part of the bankers of
London, pardoned by Sir George Grey, and liberated.
'• But the poor man," writes Mr Denis to the Times, ho.
to sell every article of his furniture to provide for his
unsuccessful defence; his wife was reduced to the greatest
distress, but relieved by the humanity of the sheriffs_ and
‘he innocent man suffered six months' imprison'ment
without the slightest compensation being made him.
Whgave a wrong name, but
his
rein suddenly
address,dei iy l
and apprehendedthi
this
h deeparture from the truth no
doubt injured him with the jury ; but still, I think, the
bankers of London ought to do something for this injured
man, and there are many generous persons who maybe willing
to help, • I have reason to believe that Mr. Mullens will
bring this matter under the notice of the associated bankers;
but as the case is now again before the public, I take the
liberty to recommend it, as well deserving the sympathy of
the benevolent."