The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-02-21
A Day with tho Sharks.

4 Day with the Sharks.
The shark is the Ishlnael Of the sea.
His fin is raised against everything that
swlms, or walks, or creeps. ;, lie makes
every creature that inhabits the deep his
prey, from the herring to the walrus,
from the crab 10 the sword FISH. He as
sails every man aud dimes on him with.
out companctidn.
Nantucket seems to be sort OF SUM.
ner resort" for these monsters. Hither
congregate the shoddyits and petroleum.
ists-the bloated aristocracy Of shark
dom-to spend the dog days and recup
crate their exhausted energies. Learn.
iug that . large company Of them were
rusticating soms eight miles distant, we
resolved to pay them visit. Charserins
boat, We were soon running before a
lair breeze. Two hours sail brought US
to our des,ination-otf Great Point"
Here VIC furled sails, cast anchor, and
prepared for the days work.
The first thing to be dono ia to {; bait"
our shark. We have provided ourselves
with quantity Of blue fish, which arc
KEEP. in large tub. Their ,hroa,s arc
gu, and they bleed protusely. We cut
out the back bones and the entrailS.
uniru, IvSvluer WIN tuu Oluuuy water
in the tub, NC throw into the sea. This
is to provide tho monsters with lunch,
and advise them Of our arrival. We
now prepare our fishing gear. This
consists Of large iron or steel hook
nearly half an inch in diameter, ground
TO sharp point at tho onJ. To this is
attached about o fathom Of chain, to
prevent the sharks biting it OF, while
the line proper consists oil u strong rope
about the thickness Of an old fashioned
BEDFORD.
~ blue fish is cut up into chunks Of
about pound each, two or three Of
which are placed on the hook, but MOI,
50 as to conceal the point. Four Of the
hooks arc baitcd and let down to the
bottom. 1t is early, and our grim guests
evidently have not yet completed their
toilet. They must be late risers. Half
m hour passes wi,houta nibb!c. Twenty
minutes morc, when B.'s face suddenly
becomes excited he snatchcs violently
at the line, screams out" I've got him, "
and commences hauling in. The next
instant the weight suddenly falls of, the
shark has torn out tho hook and got
away. Has he warned his brethren OF
our ,roachery, and will they give US II
Midu birth? Our captain laughs at our
fears aud tells us to keep sharp eve on
our lines. Twenty minutes c!apsc when
Mrs. ". quietly asks il there is not
something on her line :" You have
so, shark, Madam, and big one, too,
responded the skipper, rs he islt Of her
line.
Tha. ordinarily placid individual so
far lost her cquanimity as to drop u
piece Of Pie she Was eatlaS into the sea-
aud gave other uuequ'yocal signs Of in
cip:cnt luuacy. We come to her assist.
auce and pull for dear liic. 1t is hard
work the shark demurs violently; but
he COMES, like flash, to the surface, his
tail striking the boa, like u trip, hammer,
and making it CULVER from bow 10 stern.
The struggle is exciting; tho shark
fights desperately, but finally the gal, is
thrown out ty dexterous hand, hooks
him fairly in the eye, when he is hauled
up to the side Q; the boat. y we'll d.
recteI blow from heavy club directly
on the skull quiets Linn slightly; still
be Icps aud founders around teAstully
Another blow, and;ssill another, and he
is sufficiently Quoted to be dragged up
on the bow Of the boat. :...,. &.
lie lays still, but life will linssr in
tha. hugo carcass for hours. 1t is pru.
dent to give him widc birth. IIe is u
man. EATER" aud measures over six
feet.
The hook is bai,ed, tho other lines are
lowered, aud tho fishing is resumed.
By this limo everybody has " blood in
bis eye. Ten minutes pass, vixen tlrs.
". screams out, I've got auc,hcr."'
sure enoesh-a splendid ssud,shask,
measuring six feet and a half. We
Landed him successfully. y few minutes
alter Katy 3. stas;lcd ,us.alrby scream.
inr out that sou,e,hiu. was running
away with her liue.' Aua So there was ;
but the tables were soon Vurncd on Sir.
Shark ; his progress was arrested, and be
was brought up With round turn. The
Struggle Vas short, sharp and decisive.
He was triae und der SIX feet Il. was
NOW Mrs. B. turn to cry out that she