The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-09-07

The Salem Gazette gives the following
interesting account of what may almost be
called miraculous escape from death. and
says that the writer is very intelligent
and worthy man, and of unimpeachable We
! racHy.
July goth, 1881.
Dear Sir-The fact of my having had
narrow and providential escape from hor-
rid death some years ago, has from time to
time been subject of much observation
and inquiry among my friends and fellow
tOwnsmen generally. X
Recent occurrences and suggestions have
at length induced me, after lapse of -
years, to give the details of the catastrophe
that publicity which have so often decin-
ed.
Soon after arrived at the age of 81
years, business being dull and my health
precarions, resolved to take a fishing
voyage to Grand Bank, for the purpose OF
gratifying a natural curiosity, in connection
with desire efenjoying the benefit of the
sea air, anu 'tio ahtrinmant oe suoh ;nEor
nation as circumstances and the nature of
the employment might afford. We depart
ed on our voyage in the month of MAY, 1878,
and upon my return, in August following,
finding my business still poor, and having
been at considerable expense for my first
outfit, thought proper to continue
time in the employment, and accordingly
| finished the year in the same occupation
| also continued in the fishing line through
the two following years of 1919 and 30
the former in the mackerel line on our
coast, and the latter after cod on the coast
OF Labrador. 1t was on one of our mackerel
trips, IN the summer of 1919, that the acct
dent took place.
Wo sailed from our harhor in the schoon-
er Science, on Friday, the second dav of
July. Our vessels company consisted of
nine persons,-Joseph L. Wormstead, the
| master, Thomas Roundey, William Green,
Richard Cole, Thomas Powers, Joseph Vim
cent, Thomas Russell, Edward Roundy, son
OF the above, and myself. We cruised be-
tween the shoal of Georges and the coast
OF Maine without any material occurrence
till Tuesday, the goth of the same month.
We were then about 100 miles eastward of
Cape Armand but few leagues from Cash's
Ledge. A brighter or more pleasant day
I.eould never be expected on our coast than
tins. Immediately after dawn a black
hedy was discovered about a mile distant
which was conf ectured to be either large
boat, bottom upwards, or dead whale. 1t
being calm, and and the water perfectly
smooth, we lowered the moses boat to as
certain its true character. Our boat had
been absent but a short time before her
crew signalized a dead whale, and light
breeze sprlnging up about the same time,
we soon brought the schooner alongside
and made preparations for haying him. II
was ofthe species common to the coast, and
between 40 and so feet in length, accord
ing TO the space it filled alongside the yes
sci, and was surrounded by numerou.
sharks. The body os tie whale bore ample
proof of the voracious character of the com
pany it was in. Probably not less than lO(
choice morsels, from a foot to foot and
half In diameter, had been unceremoniousl,
abstracted from its skin. These spots be
ing OF snowy white, contrasted finely witt
the Jet black hide of the whale, and gave
some parts Of his exterior altogether
snowy ard unique appearance. Such wa
the desperate beldness of these animal
that many them continued around us TO
some time after we were grappled to thu
whale, and nothing daunted by the contn
ual mautang they encountered from tbs
oars and other weapons of our crew, the.
continued for several hours to commit thei
depredations upon him.
About 10, A. NJ, the "tollings" which hat
washed from the whale, drew shoal o
mackerel up alongside, and wishing to taxi
as much advantage of this circumstance u
possible, we kept two hands aft side Of tn
head of the whale on the quarter deck t
try the lines and give us notice ifthey SHOULD
bite sharp, in order that we might embrac
the opportunity to get out our dories fla
bottom boats about IA feet length, and near
ly as "tplish" as an Indians canoe, an
proceed to windward to fish for them. UP
on the appearance of the mackerel tn
sharks began to disappear in pursuit of then
and this circumstance made us less on1iou