The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-10-22
PORTLAND, Oct. 10.
GRAND NOVEL FISHERY.

On Monday afternoon of this week
school or Shodl of large fish, some OF them
between 90 and 80 feet in length, was dis
covered in Harpswell river, on the eastern
side of Harpswell neck. A few hardy tish-
ermen of that town discovered them anu
engaged in the chase, driving them up the
river and firing at them with musket hails'
The alarm was soon communicated along
shore "a ichaie! ,ohale was the cry 81
and the water was in short time covered
with boats, carrying 60 or go warriors TO
battle, armed with muskets, harpoons, broad
axes. hatchets, and whatever deadly weapon
could he seized at the moment. Those
who first dashed in amongst the school, hred
at them necessarily, and killed several, who
sunk in the river, where they still lie. Inc
greatest part were driven from the river IN
to cove, directly east of Harpswell meet
ing house. The water was here shallow ana
now commenced an assault and method of
fishery never before witnessed. The hsb
were known to yield valuable oil like the
whale. The largest would yield from four
to five bills, worth 80 or $40. The eager
ness. of attack, therefore, on the part OF the
| fishermen, who were accustomed TO draw
up from the depth of many fathoms, the small
and comparatively worthless goldfish, may
be easily imagined. TO catch fish worth
( $40 was no trlt1ing affair.
! First, as became him, the Representa-
tive of the town of Harpswell, Mr.. Curtis,
a very respectable man, assaulted the larg-
est of the school. Armed with broad axe
he threw himself from his boat, astrlde a
monster % feet in length, and rode him a
number of rods (all the while cutting into
him with the greatest industry before he
: despatched him. Classic story tells MS OF
: .4rion, who was carried ashore on the back
Y of porpesse but Harpswell-true history
: will long boast of their representative, who
b., rode ashore on the back OF a GramPus.
Mr.. Reed, another of the adventures, was
: not so fortunate. Several had attacked II
i vain an unmanageahe fish when he, hav
5, ing previously Landed, waded out to him
: saving he could bring him ashore, up to In
/ mid-body in water, he accordingly selze'
d the animal by his head, as one would taxi
n dog by the ears, but the brave man 500
n. found he was not in his element.-tor tn
l. fish, with a swing or two Of his head, trlppe'
y up his heels. and made him glad to retreat
re so as to keep his head above water! Youn
at Mr.. Dunning pursued two large fish ashore
and slipping the painter from the boat, h
er made moose in it, and getting 1t over tn
r. head and fms of the largest, he tastene
r. him to tree while snatching another rop'
c. he slipped it over the tail of the other, an
IN fastened him to BUSH and then hastene
to make new conquests, fol- it was the la
d. the case, that every one was to have VIII;
re he could kill or catch and secure. One I
X the school was struck with a harpoon, an
at his fury was tremendous. A sea of sewers
W 10 olO
~ ofthis adventure is, that % men, the success!
full part of the company, killed II fish, helm
IL with those, who sunk in the river, the who
er school. 1t is not known, that one escape
lg The hlubber mas been stripped off, and, it
expected, will yield IS barrels of oil, wort
d. nerba No from 500 to zoo AolI~rs
is, Some OF the Harpswell people call tn
of fish Black Fish, others Pot Fish. Both name
Id are very appropriate, for the fish is hac
like a coal, and the head is of the form of
~ pot kettle. DR.. Mitchell of New York, al
1t, other learned men would say, it is no FISH
tn ALL for it has no gills, and like the whale h;
k, heart and lungs and warm blood, and
IN viviparous. 1t spouts water through lare
re spiracle or hole i'll the top of its head. Or
re man thrust his fist as stopper IN the splr
ne Gle of one of the monsters, in the hope, thi
e. by combining the air, the animal would bio
up, and thus be hoated more readily in Il
at shoal water; hut he found himself in dang'
Of being blown up into the air! The lars
est was % feet in length, and l8 feet in CT
as conference the pups, still at the breas
of were or feet in length.
n 1t is remarkable, that amidst all the col
ai fusion and peril of the battle, not mi
lg should have been hurt in the conquest ofsuc
en- multitude of fierce and powerful animal
nd The protection, no less than the bounty
ty Providence, calls for the grateful acknow
nd edglnent of these bold and successful al
as venturers.
is
IT, LENox, Oct. 16.