The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-08-09
A Whale in Portland HarbOr,

, ~ INC ahuseHlcnC OF SOJ0urnerS at
Cape Cottage. They generally played
around the outside, but at one time
were observed as far in as Diamond
Cove. Monday morning one of the
monsters accompanied vessel so far
in that he evidently got. frightened
and lost his reckoning. He swan into
our inner harbor, straight up by all the
wharves, and through the Portland
Bridge and the p. S. g. P. Railroad
Bridge! There the water got so shoaI
that he quit the progressive and COM
menced to run from shore to shore, and
back and forth between Vaughan's
bridge and the railroad bridge, he
being able to 60 in no direction more
than half mile.
Meantime the veteran pilot and cap
turer of big fish, Capt Benz. j. Will
lard, was notified of the presence of
our distinguished guest, and he made
immediate plans to give him warm
reception. With his harpoons, whal-
ing-gun, etc., Captain Ben was soon in
his boat, with six stout fellows at the
oars. They pulled to the scene where
the frightened whale was vainly seek
ing an outlet, and tho fun commenced.
A crowd of some fifteen hundred peo-
pie were soon gatheredpn the bridges.
Occasionally che, whale;wopld rush to
the surface with such terrific speed that
nearly his entire body would appear
above the surface, and he would fall
with splash that would send columns
of water high in the air.
The boat in chase was propelled
with great speed, but the whale avoid.
ed it for long time. Men appeared
with their rifles, took a. pop atthe
giant of the deep when he came near.
A number of rife balls put into him
without effect, save in the single i'm
stance, whore one struck him at short
range near the eye. The shot seemed
to stun him for moment, and mo.
mont only, for he was off again more
frisky than ever, closely followed by
Captain Ben in his boat. Back and
forth they fed, pursuer and pursued.
The excitement became intense. FL
nally the whale broke water within
some thirty-fve feet of the boat, and
the next instant q harpoon, was seen
circling through the air. sent by the
sturday.arm of Captain Ben Willard.
notwithstanding the great distance,
the iron took effect, and boat and
whale were rushing along at speed of
nigh twenty miles an hour. The
scene was now indeed a strange one.
There in the extreme back of the har-
Dor of Portland, six miles from the
ocean, wa, being witnessed the most
thrilling part of the wild life of
whaleman. unfortunately for all but
the whale, the harpoon gave way just
as the boat was being worked up near
to give his majesty asecond iron.
The chase was renewed, but the
rising gave thewhale more water and
room, and itseemed impossible to get
near him. The struggle had lasted
nearly six hours; the crew were about
tired out, and Captain Willard deter
mined to try the whale-gun and boat
lance, rather than longer wait for the
manly and exciting fight incident to
the use of the harpoon. Just as he
got in readiness his whale ship came
up5within fifteen feet of the boat, look
ing so huge and frightful as TO elicit
cry of horror and alarm from those
on the bridge close by. "Oh, for my
harpoon!" exclaimed Captain Ben;
81 could bury tito tho wood" But
there was no time to get it ready, and
bang went the big bomb lance gun.
1t struck just in the thick of the whales
back, went entirely through him, and
exploded about ten yards beyond.
Though not inficting fatal injury, it
evidently cost the monster some ankle
ty, for he got out of the way at the
speed Of an express train. UP he went
no Vaughan's bridge, whirlod about
and rushed down like mad, striking
on the ways from which the Monitor
Vas launched, nearthe railroad bridge,
18th such force as to go near high and