Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-05-12
From the National Intelligencer.
The Killer Whale.

WASHINGTON, April 27th.-Messrs Editorss-rn
Lieut.. Maury's description of the whale, he made
remarks fish of the above species called the
killer. This fish is described in Porters Journal of
Cruise in The Pacific" This fish is so well known
TO the old salts of the whaling trade and Pacific
cruisers, that have always thought it equally we'll
known to the scientific Having more than one
occasion been eyewitness of the attacks of this
fish on the whale will attempt description of it.
The killer is the wolf of the ocean, and hunts in
packs, and Their tall dorsal fin be constantly
above the water. This fish has always us a
companion, but swimming deeper, the sword fish, and
now and then can be seen the shark. On sighting
their prey, which the killer sees at great distance.
the pack gives chase the unconscious whale is slow
~ moving near the surface and occasionally spout
ing as it were in sport, Jets of water above him
But he now suddenly sees the " sea- wolff him.
Instinct at teaches him that the surface he
cannot be safe, and, taking in long breath, he fukes
that Is, dives.
But there has been another enemy watching him
from the depths below, the " sword fish - which now
darts at him with the velocity of lightning and pefo
rates the whale beneath with his long and spear like
nose. This sends him at to the surface here he
again meets with his enemy, the kler;' but as vet
they are afraid TO approach him The whale now be-
gins to the extent of his danger, and for time
merely lashes the water with his ponderous fuke He
tires Of this and remains for short time at rest
the pack now approach him. and he seeks safety in
flight But what can he do! The poor whale has
hump on his back and steers unsteadily, while the kill
ers tall and stiff fin steadies him his Nearer
and nearer approaches the pack 10 their victim again
he takes long breath and dives. The sword,fsh has
steadily kept him in view; he too has tall fin and long
slender propeng tail and while it is effort to the
whale TO increase his speed it is but play to the sword
fish, which again darts and perforates his prey and
sends the wounded whale again to the surface
| The again commences but this time with d.
mnshed speed, the killers having separated to watc
the rise of the whale, who, finding his enemies IN
every direction in circle, and again makes
third, and sometimes fourth attempt to escape by
diving, but is always met by the terrible spike OF the
sword fish. He at last, weak, exhausted, and DIS
pIrlted, returns 10 the surface, where he again al
tempts escape by fight.
Streams of blood mark his course his enemies
still follow steadily after him. until he stops and be-
! gins 10 lash and make the ocean foam around HIM;
but large streams of his life-blood are pouring
out, and he is only increasing his weakness by the
exertiOn, and merely flashing amidst his gore
Tired, exhausted and faint, he rolls The deep
streaks of blood flowing from large orifces in his
white belly can now be distinctly seen The hun.
CRY pack now close, and more bold than the resi-
selZes him near the throat and tears away the SKIP
| and fat he opens his mouth and bellows with pala
This is generally the signal for a combined attack
His tongue is seized and torn from his mouth So
are his eyes The sword-fsh rises 10 the sur
face and his tall SPARKLE prouberance is seen pro-
IJecting over the body of the whale the sharks as0
close in and feed the fat rejected by the killers
In this state the whale makes few dying struggles
The feast now commences and continues untll 'ne
fat and sufficient flesh is stripped off to cause the car
cass TO become too heavy float the surface anu
it sinks. The shark is left to enjoy his few streakS o.
fat while the killer pack, accompanied by their co'1,
panon, the sword-fish, rove again the broad ocean "
| seek another leviathan OF the great deep
| W. d, PORTER, U. 5. Navy