The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-20 00:00:00

GREAT SEA SERPENT.
The following account, duly authenticated, as will be 1,
seen, we copy from the last number of the !Woonsocket
(R. I.) Patriot. The statement of Captain Powers we
give velbatim. It was sent to the Woonsocket paper
by Mr. C. D. Byron, who dates his letter, Newport,
September 8. The day on which it was seen was the
Monday previuus (September 1), NI hile the ship (the
Albatross) was becalmed off Stonington, Ct., about five
miles off land. We would not ridicule these researches
into natural history ; but we must say that this story is
long, tough, and hard to swallow. If true, however,
it shows that antiquity cannot begin to compare with
modern times. Hydrargog Sillimanii was not a circum-
stance to the Genus Stoningtonii. We copy from the
Woonsocket Patriot. Any hats that may follow are due
at that office.

" The wind during the day had been light from the
N.E., and at about half-past two p.m., while almost be-
calmed, one of the men who had gone aloft discovered
him about one point off the lee bow, distant quarter of a
mile. I immediately went aloft, taking with me an ex-
cellent sea-glass, and stationed myself on the maintop-
gallant crosstrees. As he neared the vessel, I was
enabled, from my elevated position, to observe the
peculiarity of his shape, and to reconnoitre all his move-
ments. When first seen he was lying on the surface of
the water, with his head and nearly the entire length of
his body in sight. In this position he remained for about
fifteen minutes, without any apparent motion, though
from his gradual proximity to the vessel, it is evident he
must have been under some headway. After this, he
slowly changed his course, so as to bring his body
athwart our bows, and again appeared to remain station-
ary, until by the ourrent, and slight puffs of wind, we had
drifted silently into his immediate neighbourhood.
" The sea being unusually smooth and clear, the view
which was now afforded could not well have been better,
and the opportunity to enjoy it was eagerly embraced by
all hands. I should think his length could not have
fallen far short of 70 feet. The head appeared to be
such the largest and most formidable part, and was of
an oval shape. The end of the upper jaw appeared to
be square, and very blunt; that of the under part was
not much dissimilar in shape to that of the ordinary
snake. About ten feet from the extreme point of the
head, and on either side, was located a thin apron or ear
of flesh, of about four feet in length and one in width.
Directly in rear, and just below, appeared a large full,
orbed eye, of a dark colour, with an elongate horizontal
pupil, surrounded by a white outline. Under the throat
and about on a line with the eye, appeared two enormous
fins or flippers, which seemed to be his main dependence
in giving headlong motion to the huge mass of living
flesh which lay behind them. About eight or ten
feet still farther back, and near the surface of the

water, two other fins became visible ; these were
about six feet long, rather narrow, and quite thin. They
lay horizontally on the water, and were occasionally
moved to and from the side with a sculling motion. This
circumstance led to the conjecture that they might have
been designed as material aids in turning the body to the
right or left. The ridge of the back was considerably
notched, and at equi-distances of two or three feet, sharp
transparent protuberances, of a vermillion colour, ap-
peared, to the number of fifteen ; after which the back
became smooth as far as discoverable. These points or
horns were about eight inches long, starting with a dia-
meter of perhaps four inches, and gradually tapering to
an extreme point. It is not impossible this singular ar-
rangement may have been wisely ordained to serve as
weapons of self-defence. The termination of the body
was quite small, ending with a callous or bony projec-
tion, about four feet in length, and nearly white.
" The entire body appeared to be shielded in a com-
plete ' coat of mail,' of a dark brown hue, divided into
regular joints, passing around the body, which were
slightly opened and shut by the motion occasioned
when lying head to the sea.' This singular exterior
covering would undoubtedly present an invulnerable
barrier against the attack of any aquatic enemy who
might chance to seek the citadel of his life. Its ex-
treme inflexibility was thoroughly tested before we
parted company, by several well-directed shots of a rifle,
which left no visible impression whatever, and did not
seem to disturb his equilibrium even the slightest de-
gree.
" At about half past three we were so contigious to
each other, that fears began to be entertained for the
safety of the vessel. I came don n from aloft, and or-
dered the sweeps to be put out, to get steer-way" on
her, in order to avoid a collision, as he was then lying
broadside to' just under the bow. At this critical
juncture a scene of confusion and alarm occurred which
can only be imperfectly described. The oars were
scarcely in the water when a terrible commotion was
heard directly under the forefoot.' I jumped forward
at once to the staysail 'lettings, and looking
down, could see nothing but one complete caul-
dron of bubbling and boiling foam, as white
as unstained snow. Whether the serpent had
taken alarm at discovering his proximity to the vessel,
or from the noise made by the oars as they were dropped
into the water, I could not tell. In another instant the
commotion ceased, and the monster breached from the
water head foremost, coming up in nearly a perpendicu-
lar line, until his head struck the martingale with such
force as to part the guys, and carry away the flying jib-
boom near the boom-iron. The concussion was so se-
vere that the whole ship trembled beneath it, and the
countenance of every man on board was blanched with
fear. Had I not been holding on to the foretopmast-
stay at the time, I should doubtlessly have fallen over-
board. Immediately after this he slowly settled away,
and entirely disappeared from sight.
" It being now about four o'clock, and the wind be-
ginning to set in from the southward and eastward,
we hauled our tacks ' aboard, sheeted home' the
topsails, and gathering headway on the ship, stood
in for the land. Nothing more was seen of the
leviathan, though every eye on board long and in-
tently searched for his whereabouts. Whether this
strange inhabitant of the deep is the same which had
been so often seen and described by others, or is
some new ♦isitor in our waters, I have no means of
knowing. I can only say that its appearance was novel
and interesting in the highest degree, and differed en-
tirely in its construction, size, and colour, from any
tenant of the deep which ever came under my observa-
tion, during a nautical life of 25 years.—JAßEZ POWERS."
—New York Tribune.