Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-09-25

The head appeared TO be much 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 so
much dissimmar in shape to that of the ordinary
snake. About ten feet from the extreme point OF
the head and on either side, was located thin a.
prom or ear of hesh of about A feet in length and
one in width. Directly in rear, and just below, APP
peared n large full or orbed-eye, Of dark color,
with arelongate horizontal pupil, surrounded by
white outline. Under the throat, and about on
line with the eye, appeared two enormous Inns or
hippers, which seemed to be his main dependence
in giving headong motion to the huge mass oil Nv
ing flesh which lay behind them. About.elg or
ten feet still further back, and near the surface OF
the water, two other fins became visible; these
were about feet long, rather narrow and quite
thin. They lay horizontally on the water, ana
went occasionally to and from the side with soul
ling motion this circumstance led to the connect
ure that they might have been designed as nater-
oil ii Is in turning the body to the right or left The
ridge of the back was considerably noiched aud at
eu1al distances of 2 or three feet, sharp tratspa-
rent protubcrances, Of a vermon color appeared,
TO the number of Is; after which the back became
smooth as far as discoverabc. These points or
horns were about 8 inches long, starting with di-
ameter of perhaps inches, and gradually tapering
to an extreme point 1t is not impossible that this
singular arrangement may have been wisely or
dalned to serve as weapons Of self defence. The
termination Of the body quite small, it ending
with calous or bony projection about four lcet III
length, and nearly white,
The entire body appeared to be shielded in a
complete "coat Of mail, Of a dark brown hue, d.
1idcd into regular joints, passing round the body,
which were slightly opened and shat by the motion
occasiuncd when tying head to the sea-" This
singular exterior covering would undoubtedly pre-
sent an nyulnerable barrier against the attack OF
any aquatic enemy who might chance 10 seek the
citadel of life lis extreme inneXiblllty was thor
oughly tested before We parted company, by sever
al well directed shots Of a rifle, which left no vlsi
bc impression whatever and did not seem to dis
turb his equilibrium even in the slightest degree
At about l0lt-past three we were so contiguous
to each other, that fears began to be entertained
for the safety Of the vessel. | came down from n
loft and ordered the sweeps to be put out, 10 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 junclurc scene of conu
sion and alarm occurred which can only be imper
fecly described. The oars were scarcely in the
water, when terrible commoon was heard dis
tinctly under the " iorcoot." ! jumped forward al
once to the staysal MEETINGS, and looking down,
could see nothing but one complete cauldron o
7, bubbng and boiling foam, as white as unstainet
snow. Whether the serpent had taken alarm a
discovering his proximity TO the vessel, or from the
noise made by the oars as they were dropped int
|
commotion ceased, and the monster preached from
the water head foremost, coming up in nearly
perpendicular line, until his head struck the mar
tngalc with such force as to part the guys, ant
, carry away the flying jlb-boom near the boom iron
The conclusion was 50 severe that the whole sh
rembled beneath it., and the countenance Of ever
i man on board was blanched with fear. Had no
been noldng on 70 the toretopmaststay at the TIM
should doubtless have fallen overboari lmue
: diately after this, he slowly settled away, and en-
tirely disappeared from sight
, 1t being now about O'Clock, and the wind be
ginning to set in from from the southwark and east
. ward, we hauled our lacks" aboard and " sheete
home the topsas, and gathering Roadway Oh tn
:, ship, stood in for the land Nothing more wa
! seen of the eviathan, though every eye on boar
q long and ncnty searched for his whereabouts
Whether this strange inhabtant of the deep is tn
:, same which has been 50 often seen and describe
, by others, or is some new vslter in our waters,
have no means of knowing can only say thu
its appearance was novel and interesting in til
- highest degree and differed entirely, in its colo
size and construction, from any tenant Of the dee
. which ever came under my observation during
e nautical life of nearly twenty five yeras.
u JABEZ POWFRS,