The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1866-08-15
A Whale in Portland Ilarbor,

about the cntraucc to our harbor, much
to the amusement of soiourners at
Cape Cottage. They generally PLAYED
around the outside, but ut one time
were observed as far in as Diamond
Cove. Monday morning one of the
monsters accompanied vessel so far
i'll that he evidently got frightened
and lost his reckoning. lie swan into
our inner harbor, straight up by all the
wharves, and through the Portland
Bridge and the p. S. e. p. Railroad
Bridge There the water got so shoal
that he quit the progressive and com
menccd to run from shore to shore, and
back and forth between Vaughan's
bridge and the railroad bridge, he
being able to go inn direction more
than half mile.
Meantime the vcteranpilot and cap
turcr of big fish, Capt. BENZ. j. Viii
lard, was notified of the presence Of
our distinguished guest, and he made
immediate plans to give him Il 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 vainlv sccl-
ing an outlet, and the fun commenced.
n crowd of some fifteen hundred pco-
pie were soon gathered on the bridges.
Occasionally the whale would rush to
tie surface wtls 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 Il long time. Men appeared
with their rifles, took pop u,thc
giant of the deep when he came near.
Anumber of rifle balls put into him
without effect, save in the single iu-
stance, where one struck him at short
range near the eye. The shot seemed
to stun him for moment, and an.o.
ment only, for lie was off again more
trisky than ever, closely followed BY
Captain Ben in his boat. Back and
forth they Acd, pursucr and pursued
The excitement became intense. III
nally the whale broke water within
some thirty-Iive feet ofthc boat, and
the next instant a harroon was seen
circling through the air, sent bv the
sturday arm of Captaina Ben Willard.
notwithstanding the great distance,
the iron took effect, and boat and
VIII lie were rushing oloug at a speed of
nigh twenty miles an hour The
scene was now indeed strange ono.
There in the extreme back of tic h r.
Dor Of Portland, SIX miles from the
| hni Al
thrilling part Of the WIZ; .rc OF IA
whalcman. Unfortunately for all but
the whale, the harpoon gave way Just
as the boat was being worked up near
to give his majesty a asecond iron.
The chase was renewed, but the
rising gave the whale more water and
room, and it seemed impossible to gct
near him. The struggle had lasted
nearly six hours; the crow were about
tired out, and Captain Willard deter
mined tot"y the whalc-gun and boat
lance, rather than longer wait for the
manly and exciting fight incident to
the use of the harpoon. just rs he
got in readiness his whale ship came
up within fifteen feet of the boat, look
ing so huge and frightful MS to elicit
cry OF horror and alarm from those
on the bridge close by. ooh, for nv
harpoon /" exclaimed Captain Ben:
81 could bury tito the 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, won't entirely through him, and
exploded about ten yards beyond.
Though not innicting 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
to Vaughan's bridge, whirled about
and rushed down like mad, striking
on the ways from which the Monitor
was launched, near the railroad bridge,
with sach force as to go near high and
dry out of the water. Here came an
immense struggle.
The huge fish rolled on his side,
threw hisgreat tail into the air, and
in his endcavors to get off dashed the
water to foam for yards about. His
struggles did not seem to avail him,
but tho rapidly rising tide soon placed
him afloat again. A few more frantic
rushes from shore resulted, and the
munster thcn made a direct bolt
through the bridges, down the harbor
and away, to the advantage of himself
and the disappointment of the thou
sands of spectators, and Captain Ben
and his gallant crew, who had fought
so long and woll.-N
The fight lasted six-and-a half hours.
The whale was of tho humpback species,
and was estimated to be between thiyrs
ty and forty feet in length Cnlt;ins
Willard is Of the opinion it sustained
no material injuries, but thinks he will
have fearful story to tell the whales
outside of his trip to Portland to see
the ruins.
GUN COTToN.--- Gun cotton is now
made into ropes for storage, and kept
under water. When an order is rrcriv.
rd at the mannfaciory. a few hours sui.
rrs t" send the cotton on lis way Il