Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-04-13
Ehe Whale Captured OF Wilmington.
North Carolina.

The Wilmington Joa,na1 gives the following facts
relative TO the capture of whale below that city:
The whale recently captured is of the fn-back spc-
cles and was first seen about sunrise Tuesday,
March 90 and soon aftor grounded an oyster rock
near Smithvlle. lie got clear, however, and arted
up the channel, agitating the water more than an
ordinary steamboat. lie shortly afterwards ran
aground again. this time opposite the residence OF
Mrs. Stuart. Mr.. Warren, a gentleman in Smithvie
fired at him while in this position; but he appeared
perfectly regardless of shOt and eXtrcating himself
again, started up the channel. A small schooner
named the Planet then started in pursuit and found
him stuck on SHOWS marsh, opposite Fort Fisher;
but on coming up with him it was discovered thathe
had again extricated himself, and was making di-
rectly Tor the schooner. This movement the part
of the whale caused a great deal of consternalion
among the crew of the vessel which was Immediate
ly faced about and all haste was made from the scene
OF action; but on proceeding a short distance they
observed that the whale, who probably as badly
frightened as the crew, had also changed his course
and was making all speed in an opposite direction
ana was IN snort time seen TO run ashore the
place where he had just gotten off.
a salt poat was sent 10 fecOhnQlre ms position.
Finding him fast aground. and the tide falling, the
schooner proceeded to Smithvilke to get the assist
ance Of the sloop Flash. and also to obtain the ser
vices OF a gentleman residingin Smthvlle, who had
had several years experience in the whaling bust
ness.
On their return the tide having fallen considera-
bly,, the hugh monster discovered TO be almost
entirely out of the The first object was to
kill him; accordingly hole cut in his side and
the old whaler ran his sword in, until his was
almost entirely embedded in his body. His heart
eventually pierced but even then it was nearly
Two uouFs DelOre ne nad ceased to breathe In his
fury he could throw stream of water six inches in
diameter fully hundred feet high. His Dimensions
were ascertaned to be follows; fftysx teet long,
and twenty-seyen feet in circumference. The head
is about one-thrd of the entire length The jaws
sixteen feet long either side, and nine feet wide
across the throat. The tail iSbout twelve feet wide
ana serves him a weapon. He is only about half
grown and weighs thirty-six tons, seventy-two
thousand pounds.
To give idea OF his i'm ense weight it stated
that even after the upper jaw and skull were cut
away, it possible, owing to the immense weight
get the under jaw the deck of the schooner SO
it must remain in the water until the flesh DECAYS he
fore the bone be saved.
The carcass would have made sixty barrels of oil
if facilities could have been obtained for cutting and
trying up the blubber. As it's only about twenty
five barrels, or eight hundred gallons, have been
saved.
SUDDEN DEATH.--Ar VIM. Richards, an old and
esteemed elt2en OF the Sixth ward died suddenly on
tuesday evening. About eight o'clock he was CON
yerslng with neghbor. short distance from his
mousse Alter parting with his friend he turned to go
nome, put Tell on the pavement in front of his door.
Omcer j. II. Gordon, who was near, went to his as
slstaAee He was taken in and laid upon sofa
where he died about half-past nine o'clock. Mr.. R.
was well known and had many friends Washington
Republican,