Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-11-09
3Wholc No $50.

ripple here and sligh, splash there, indics-
ted the locality as one where SO fearful ira
gedy had been so lately enacted.
Terrible instances are all these OF the feroc-
" and deadly cunning Of this airocious mon
sef. We finish this article with the mention
of one other slight incident with this "sea law
yer," as the sailors term him, with less mel
ancholy termination than those adduced
A merry party Of us were once on calm
summer evening pulling across bay IN
whale-boat. We were proceeding to dinner
party, in fact, and of course were all dressed IN
our best, as tie phrase IS. Amongst our num-
ber was a would. be sailor, who wished TO I'M
press upon the uninitated an Overw helmlng
sense OF his nautical abilities. He seized eve
~ opportunity OF showing off and amongst
hs other ambitious notions, he wished II to be
believed that he could steer whalebsat Now
il must be remembered that the boat employed
in the South Sea fishing is very different at
fair from other boats and III particular, II -
stecred in different manner, a long oar beng
employed, which projects from the stern,
whereas, in common boats of course, as every
one knows, n rudder and tller of wood or
ropes are used. In steering the whale boat
the helmsman stands up, grasping the handle
OF the steering oar IN one hand, balancing HIM
self gracefully as the boat rises and falls on
the stus uhu IL Ituults Bltui oh'ii "hS IVA
terlty to Keep so long lever, projecting as II
does from the stern of the boat for twenty
feet, from suddenly (when struck by a wave,
for instance) acting in fOrcIble manner H.
gainst the person who holds IT. In CAIN
weather, Of course, ard when the water -
smooth, II child might steer whale-boat but
the pseudonnautcai have mentioned, ! vcrl-
ly believe, thought he conld steer one in
gale OF wind At any rate, he could not resist
the opportunity which smooth water, no wind, +,
and, what vas Of greater consequence to hun.
| believe, select party 0t spectators to wit
ness his performance, offered for the exhIli-
ton of his skill /; and he offered 10 relieve the
old sailor (who was steenng) of the task
The tar looked for a moment af the satin vest,
tights, and swallow tail Of the applicant, and
shifted the air, as II to ascertain what breeze
brought the scent of the Eaa de COiognc to 10
nostrils, and then, without u word, resigned
the oar am not aware # any of the party
uished for some accident 70 superveue, 10 take
the conccit cut of TIE aslirant certainly
none expected any thug of tn" sort. And
yet a calamity did oyertak" the purpos"d d .nrr.
ou, when in tie height of his glory, at tho
very moment tha, while the boat IN reality
was "stecrlng itscli,' ~ the term is, he was
deludng himself INTO the belief that he was
its unctring guide.
The blade of the steering oar, unlike those
of the pulling ones, was bound round with $
broad band Of b ight 'pper, 10 strengthen u,
] presume, and keep IT from splitting. THIS
copper band as the boat rlited over the sur
face of the water, by its gii tening quality et-
tract, the notice Of a "tiger shark, as il IS
c,llcd (n species Of the commorground shark },
which rushed upwards, and selzng hold Of the
oar blade, shook II in so tp"r like fashion
that our dandy, holding t,t oar more grace
fully than firmly, was hurled cOmpletei; over
board Very much astonishcd he was, as m
deed were all on board bat the old sailor
eraspcd hold of his leg and hauled him IN -
And it was observed thnt the veteran tar, az
he took a second l"ok al the satin vest, tehis
aud swallow tail, had bread grin upon hi'
, countenance This little Incident took place
at small town southrof Sydney.