The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-05-10
From the National lntelligencer.
The Whale Killer.

WAsHISeToS, April 27lh.-Messrs. Edi-
tors:--In Lieut.. NJ ,ury's description Of the
whale, he made some remarks on q fish of
the above species called the killer. This fish
is descr bed in ''Porter's Journal Of a Cruise
in the Pacific" This fab is 90 well known
to the old salts Of the whaling trade and the
Pacific cruisers, that have always thought
1t equally well known to the scientific
Having on more than one occasion been an
eyewitness OF the attacks of this fish on the
whale, Twill attempt description it.
The killer is the wolf CT the ocean, and
hunts in packs, and their tall dorsal fin Cal
be C constantly seen above the water. This
/ fish has always as companion, but swimming
deeper, the spord-fsh, and now and then ca
be seen the SHARK. On sighting their prey,
which the killer sees at great distance, the
pack gives chase; the unconscious whale is
slowly moving near the surface, and occasion.
ally spoutins, as it were in sport, jets Of wa
ter above him. But he now suddenly sees
the "sea aolt" near him. Instinct at once
teaches him that on the surface he cannot be
safe, and taking n long breath, he fdkcs;
TINT is, dives.
But there has been another enemy watch
ing him frcm the depths below, the "sv ord
fish," which now darts at him with the veo.
city Of lightning, and perforates the whale
beneath with his long and spear.lke nose
This sends him at once to the surface; here
he again meets with his enemy, the "k'Iler;'
but as vt they are afraid To approach him.
TIE whale now begins TO see the extent Of
his danger, aud for a time merely lnshes the
water with his ponderous huke. He SOON
tires Of this, and remains for short time n,
resi-; the pack now approach him, and he
seeks safety in flight. But what con he dol
The poor Whale has a hump oil his back and
steers unsteadily, while tho killers tall and
stiff fin steadiss him on his course. Nearer
and nearer approaches the pack To their VIC
tim; again he takes a long breath and dives.
The sword. fish has steadily kept him in view
he too has long, slender, propeling tail; and
while it 10 an effort to the whale to increase
his speed, it is but play to the sword fish
which again darts aud perforates his prey,
and sends the wounded whale again to the
surface. The race again commences, but
this time with diminished speed. the killers
having separated to watch the rise Of the
whale, who, finding his enemies in every di.
lection, courses in a circle, and again make,
! a third, and sometimes a fourth attempt tc
escape by diving, but is always met by the
terrible pike Of the sword fish, He at last
5 weak, exhausted and d;spirited, returns ts
the surface, where he again attempts escape
by flight.
Streams of blood mark his course; his enc
mics still follow steadily utter him, while h,
stops and begins to lash and makes the ocear
foam around him; but now large streams o
, his life blood are pouring out, and he is onl
j increasing his weakness by the exerton, ant
; merely flashing amidst his own gore. Tired
: exhausted and faint, he rolls over. Tn,
deep red streaks Of blood flowing from larg,
orfees in his white belly can row be dis
, tinctly seen. The hungry pack now near tint
;. throat and tears away the skin and fat; h,
opens his mouth and bellows with pain
This is generally the signal for a combine'
/ attack. His tongue is seized and torn from
e his mouth; so are his eyes. The sword-6sI
; now rises to the surface, and his tall spar
like portubance is seen projecting over tn
!. baby Of the whale; the sharks also close il
! and feed on the fat rejected by the Killers
In this state the whale makes few dyin
, struggles. The feast now commences an
s continues until the fat and sufficient flesh j
o stripped off to cause the carcase II becom
too heavy to float on the surface and sink.
|, The shark is lett to enjoy his few steaks G
n fat, while the killer pack, accompanied by tn
sword-fish, rove again on the broad ocean I
: seek ano'h her leviathan Of the great deep.
w. ID. PORTER, u. s. Navy.