Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-05-03
The Whale-By Llsnt. Maury.
Reported for the Pennsylvania Inquirer
WIsuIScroS Anil o-,L ,

WAsHSGros, April 9th, 1854
Among the many scientific papers presented for m.
consideration OF the Association, session in this
city, has proved interesting TO the commnpi
~ at large, well the of science than treats.
upon peculiar species Of whale known as the sKiIler
abstract Of which we give below submitted and read
oy Lieut. Maury, OF the National Observatory Tn. mo
cuar position occupied 10y this gentleman places him In
possession oil facts TO which but few ind yiduals arr
cesble, aua his long familiarity with nearly all subjects
connected with the mighty deep both above its suTfac
inh below cause his opinions 70 be almost regarded s
claw and gospel"
The paper being composed mostly of communications
upon the subject Of whales in reply to enuuries psn,
ed by Lieut. haury, We give synopsis Of one or two
below.
In commencing, Lieut. ~ stated that personally he wac
unacuuanted with subject of which he was IN s,eaL
but being connected with department which required
the presentation of record only Of winds waves and
currents, but also description Of phenomena 20 be Wit
messed upon the oceau acs concerning these OF
the deep had come under his observation which, 90 they
created astonsbnent in his own mind he Thought
might also be Of interest TO the Association He lad
therefore instituted inquiries among those who were IA
nhr with the subject, and what he intended to read
would be extracts from the replies made to his communi.
cations Owing TO the want OF space, eau give room
for only synopsis Of these letters.
The first Ia from Captain Thomas W. Rows
This extraordinary anrnal tho KILLER Whale il sbou.
thirty feet in length very heavy strong and
agou4, attacking and destroying the mighty Right whale
the Kamskachka, the Polar whale, aud other spsries
whenever and wherever found. When killed he y ields
about FIVE barrels OF oil.
lie is armed with sharp, stout teeth in both iaws and
hs mode Of attack Is To seize his adversary by tbroa
gnawng upon IL until ho forces hs msuh open when bs
dart az the tongue aud tears Il from the mouth FOLLOW.
.nR up this Advantage he destroys The whale
lie has upon his buck immense perpendicular fin abou,
four feet high thick and stout but cannot conceive Of
what possible he mikes Of IT, uness IL be to dc ebd
himself from the hukcs Of other whales
When second officer Of the ship Sem" struck and
killed "Rler aud on being brought along side Of the
ship, and hove In ertre, his body reached from the main
ward TO the waters surface. He yielded eight barrels Of
fine OIL Ili4 hn five feet high from the top 10 bis
back, aud his jaw bone II not given away 1. in the pos
session Of Captain Isiac Ludlow, Of Bridgehirnpton,
Long Island have repeatedly seen this speciss a,cL
other whales, aud while would bite at the throat.
other would 4taud by" tearihe tongue from the mouth
the moment II opened, dragging the unfortunate ,
below the surface, and keeping him there until he was ca
ten up alive.
Extract Of Letter from Capt. Ddniei Mackenzie da
ted Naceh 81, 1854.
"The whale Killer il deadly animal to all the tribo,
OF the ses and especially TO every species Of the whale
and his victorious attacks have been often witnessed upon
the Bright and Sperm Whales, and also upon Thurnp
Backs FiO Bicks aud Silver Bottoms. file regns emplat
icay the monarch, tiger aud bull dog Of the ocean All
s tribes have 20 is gigantic power and Weld
up their life blood ~ siato is yoracious appetite No
epcure can therefore indngein more indscrinnate
rey TO tickle his palate than this fondh animal That
bc roams RON pole 70 pole Is found by whales in every
| sea, much 70 their annoyance.
OF the Whale Killer have known but one kind
snd that B such ~ have described. AZ regards the
mode Of attack the Killer ususy takes the whale about
the head his vorte bite being the tongue Of the Right
whale have heard of few instances where they have
attacked live nnfetered whale singiy.
That the Whale Killer Il very strong lived and power.
ul animal none doubt and his magic history IL most
muveous :, you can easily perceive from the instances
| / have cited"
Thqrssdng Of the paper was received With the mos,
marked signs Of appreciation, aud listened to With unJi
viIed attention.