Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-27
station aud smetitail.
A WHALE n PORTLAND TTARBoR.


From the Portland Argus
For some ten days previous to Monday last
two whales had been sporting about the en-.
trance TO Our harbor, much TO the amusement
Of solourners at Cape Cottage. They eener.
ally played around the outside, but al one
time we're observed as far IN as Diamond
Cove Monday morning one Of the monsters
accompanied a vessel so far in that he evil
IDENTIFY got frightened and lost his reckoning.
lie swan into our inner harbor, straight m
by all the wharves, and through the Port.
land bridge and the =. S. a. ?. Railroad
bridget There the water got so shoal that he
quit the progressive and commenced 10 run
from shore 10 shore, and back and forth be-
tween NAUGHAN's bridge and the railroad
bridge, he being able to 60 in no direction
more than half mile.
Meantime the veteran pilot and capturer
Of big fish, Capt. BENZ. J. WILLARD was
notified Of the presence Of our distinguished
guest and he made immediate plans to give
him a warm reception. With his harpoons.
whaling-gun, etc, Captain BEN was soon in
his boat, with six stout fellows at the oars.
They pulled to the scene wi e the alright
ened whale was vainlY seeking an outlet,
and the fun commenced. A crowd Of some
fifteen hundred people we're soon gathered
on the bridges. Occasionally the whale
would rush TO the surface with such terrific
speed that nearly his entire body would APP
pear above the surface, and he would fall
with a splash that would send columns Of
water high in the air.
The boat in chase was propelled with
great speed, but the whale avoided it for
long time. Men appeared with their rifles,
took pop at the giant Of the deep when he
came near. A number Of rife balls were
put into him without effect, save in a single
instance, where one struck him at short
range near the eye. This shot seemed 10
stun him for a moment, and a moment only,
for he was of again more risky than ever,
closely followed by Captain Ben in his boat.
Back and forth they fed, pursuer and pur-
sued. The excitement became intense. Fl
nally the whale broke water within some
thirty-iive feet Of the boat, and the next in
slant harpoon was seen circling through
the air, sent by the sturdy arm Of Captain
Ben WILLARD. Notwithstanding thegreat
distance, the iron took effect, and boat and
whale were rushing along at a speed of nigh
twenty miles an hour. The scene was now
indeed a strange one. There in the ex-
IRENE back Of the harbor Of Portland, six
miles from the ocean, was 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 np near to give his maies- |
ty a second iron.
The chase was renewed, but the rising |
tide gave the whale more water and room; |
and il seemed impossible 10 get near him. |
The struggle had lasted nearly six hours; |
she crew were about tired out and Captain |
WILLARD determined to try the whale-gun |
and boat-lance, rather than longer wait for |
the manly and exciting fight incident to the |
use Of the hsrpoon. Just as he got insrea-
diness his whale ship came up within fifteen
feet Of the boat, looking so huge and fright |
ful as 10 elicit a cry Of horror and alarm
from those on the bridge close by. ooh, for |
my harpo0n p exclaimed Captain Ben; 81 |
could bury il 10 the wood" But there was |
no time to get IL ready, and bang went the
big bomb lance-gun. II struck just in the
thick Of the whales back, went entirely
through him, and exploded about ten yards
beyond. Though not inflicting fatal injury,
Il evidently cost the monster some anxiety, |
for he got out Of the way at the speed of an
express train. Up he went 10 VAUGHAN's
bridge whirled aboct and rushed down like
mad, striking on the ways from which the
Monitor was launched, near the railroad
bridge, with such force as to 60 near high
md dry out Of the water. Here came an
immense struggle.
The huge fish rolled on his side, threw his
yreat tail into the air, and in his endeavors
70 get of, dashed the water to a foam for
yards about. His struggles did not seem TO
wall him, but the rapidly rising tide soon
placed him aeoat again. A few more frantic
PUSHES from shore TO shore resulted and the
monster then made direct bolt through the
bridges, down the harbor and away, to the
advantage Of himself and the disappoint-
nent Of the thousands Of spectators, and
'aptain BEN and his gallant crew, who had
ought so long and well.
The fight lasted six and a half hours The
'hale was Of the humpback Species and was
stimated 10 be between thirty and forty feet
b lenghth. Captain WILLARD is Of the
pinion il sustained no material injuries, but |
links he will have fearful story to tell the
,hales outside Of his trip TO Portland to see
80 r1tiuu