Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-10-08
9sbiseeCCansons.

Another Whaie Chase at Nornoway On the
last memorable OCCASION, when Stornoway chars-
ed with al. its chivslry against the whalesa. re-
corded at the time. premium was given to the
two boats which had met the monsters Of the
deep in the oding, and drove them to the harbor,
where there is greater facility Of capture than
in any other place along the coast. This Undue.
ed others to be on the lookout, and on the morn
Ing of Thursday last, shoal was discovered by
the people on shore to be in Branahi Bay, few
miles to the westward. Several boats put imme.
dia,ely-to sea, aud succeeded with difficulty 10
driving them TO the mouth Of StornowaY harbor.
Many more boats joined the pursuit, and in a
short time the floating squadron amounted to up.
wards of fifty; provided with the necessary wea.
pons, and manned each with dozen bold, eager.
resoute fellows, expert in the best mode OF con.
ducting the extraordinary warfare on which they
were bent. Till the whales are chased to shoal
water, they are easily driven forward. AccOr-
dinghy, on the present occasion, when they found
themselves advancing too near the shore, they
made bold but futile effort to regain the deep.
The crescent formed by the boats met them at
every turn, and they were forced 10 continue
their progress towards the future scene of sIsugh.
ter frightened by the stones, darts. splashing of
oars, and halloong Of their assalants. When
the monsters made an attempt, il any thing still
more furious than the former, to escape, and the
greatest danger was apprehended. since they
were of an unusual large and bold descriptions
they renewed and added to the vigor of the ef.
forts to wheel outw ards, but in vain. They
were obliged to yield. and on they were pushed,
till they were at length cooped up in the inner
harbor, were the grand final struggle took place.
Two rows Of boats guarded the entrance, leaving
about score to engage in the melee, and to com.
plete the capture.
The scene was animating beyond description;
the shores were lined with spectators, Of every
class, cheering, in the most enthusiastic manner,
those who were most daring and resoute in the
combat. and whose efforts were told by the bloody
and troubled aspect of the water, and the fire.
quent spouting, to an immense height, of the dis
colored brine. by one or more Of the captive and
wounded monsters; on some occasions, the boats
others dragged with the greatest velocity through
the harbor. Towards evening, the struggle be.
came gradually faint. till it finally ceased in "a
vor Of the human combatants. The tide reced.
ed apace, and stretched on the mud lay the Ie-
viathans, which, but few hours before, had
waged so fierce warfare with their captors.-
The whales are of the bottle nosed species. and
are 90 in number, which is FIVE less than on a
former OCCASION; they are Of an extraordinary
size. They were, BY order Of the Board Of
Health, Immediately appointed to be removed to
a spot clear Of the town. Accordingly as soon
As the tide flowed, the victorious boats. furnish.
ing fresh scene Of animation, proceeded with
them to Arnish, one of the promontories which
environ the harbor. A committee Of their
own number and Of respectable individuals in
town were appointed BY the captors to manage
their interests, add the whales were to be ssld,
on Friday, by public sale for behoof of all con.
cerned. Noaceident observation-disclosures Coz.