New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-04-23
The Whale Captured OF WILMINGTON, N. 9.
t. The Wilmington Journal gives the following
facts relative to the capture of whale below that


x The Wilmington Journal gives the following
facts relative to the capture ola whale below that
city: ,.g soH
B The whale recently captured is of the tinback
species, and was first seen about sunrise Tues
day, March 20, and soon after grounded on an
oyster rock near Smithyle. He got clear how
ever, and started up the channel, agitating the
water more than an ordinary steamboat He
shortly afterwards ran aground again, this time
opposite the residence of Mrs. Stuart. Mr.. War
rem a gentleman in Smithville, fired at him while
in this position; but he appeared perfectly regard
less of the shot, and extricatlng 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 that he had again succeeded in
extrcating himself, and was making directly for
the schooner. This movement on the part of the
whale caused great deal of CONSERVATION among
the crew of the vessel, which was Immediately
| faced about, and all haste was made from the
scene of action; but on proceeding short dis.
lance they observed that the whale, who was
probably as badly frightened as the crew, had also
| changed his course, and was making all speed in
an opposite direction. and was in short time seen
! to run ashore near the place where he had just
| gotten off. '3.aals
"A small boat was sent to reconnoiter his posi-
4 tion Finding him fast aground and the tide fall
| ing the Schooner proceeded to Smithville to get
the assistance of the sloop Flash, and also to
obtain the services of a gentleman residing IN
Smit hville. who had several years experience in
! the whaling business. =,
On their return, the tide having fallen consdera-
bly,, the huge monster was discovered to be almost
! entirely out of the water. The first object was to
| kill him; accordingly a hole was cut in his side,
and the old whaler ran his sword in, until his arm
was almost entirely imbedded in his body. His
heart was eventually pierced, but even then it was
nearly two hours before he had ceased to breathe
In his fury. he could throw a stream of water
| six inches in diameter fully a hundred feet high
| His dimensions were ascertained to be as follows
| ffty-siX feet long, and twentyseven feet in cir
conference. The head is about one-third of the
entire length The jaws are sixteen feet long OF
i either side, and nine feet wide across the throat
The tail is about twelve feet wide, and serves hin
as weapon, He is only about half grown, ant
weighs thirty.six tons, or seventy-two Thousand
pounds.
To give some idea of his immense weight, it j!
stated that even after the upper jaw and skull
were cut away, it was impossible, owing to tn.
4 immense weight, to get the under jaw on the decl
of the schooner, so it must remain in the waite
until the flesh decays before the bones can b.
saved.
q The carcas would have made sixty barrels o
n OIL if facilities could have been obtained for cut
ting and tying up the blubber. As it is, only abou
twenty-five barrels, or eight hundred gallons, hay'
81 been saved. .-a /. Is=-L. . tE,.a. ..f