The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-06-07
WHALES AND WHALING.
Some Incidents in the Whale Fishery
How an Enraged Whale Demolishes
Ship Perilons Adventures and Mi
racuious Escapes.

script Is furnishing that journal with se.
ries Of interesting papers on the whale
fishery. The following is Psper No. 81
Of the series
In August, 1850, the whaling Ship Ann
Alexander, Captain John S. Deblois, was
sunk almost instantly by an enraged sperm
whale. A graphic account Of her loss was
published in the Panama Herald from
which condense the following:
On the 2Qth Of August, 1850, the Ann
Alexander reached the @off-shore ground. y
in latitude de. so min. south longitude
l02 de. west. About nine O'Clock. < M
whales were discovered, and about noon
they succeeded in making fast to one.
The whale was harpooned BY the larboard
boat, commanded by the mate. After
running some time the whale turned upon
the boat, and rushed at Il with tremendous
force, lifted its tremendous jaws, actually
took the boat in, aud crushed It into
fragments as smell as common sized
chair. Captain Deblois, in the starboard
boat, Immediately fastened to the scene
Of disaster, and against all expectation.
rescued the whole crew of the other boat,
nine in number.
How they escaped from the jaws Of the
monster is mystery known only to aHim
who holds the waves in the hollow of His
hand. There were now eighteen men in
the starboard boat. The frightful disaster
had been witnessed from the ship, then
aboat six miles distant, and the waist boat
sent to their relief. On the arrival of the
waist boat the crews were divided, and
another attack upon the same whale re-
solved on. Accordingly they separated,
and proceeded at some distance from each
other, as is usual on such occasions. after
the whale. In short time they came up
to him and prepared to give him battle.
The waist boat, commanded BY the first
mate, was in advance. As soon as the
whale perceived the demonstrations being
made upon him he turned his course sud.
denly, and making dash at this boat
seized il with his widespread jaws and
crushed It into atoms, allowing the men
hardly time to escape his vengeance by
throwing themselves into the ocean.
captain Deblois, again seeing the per-
ilous condition of his men, at the risk Of
meeting the same fate, fastened with the
boat to their rescue, and in a short time
succeeded in saving them all from death
little less horrible than that from which
they had twice so miraculously escaped.
de then ordered the boat to put for the
ship as speedily as possible, when it was
discovered that the whale was making for
them with his jaws widely extended. Es-
cape from death seemed totally out of the
question. They were six or seven miles
from the ship, no aid even there to afford
them relief, and the whale, maddened by
the wounds of the harpoon and lances. and
seemingly gloating with the prospect Of
speedy revenge, within a few cables length
Fortunately the monster came up and
passed them at short distance. The boat
then made her way TO the ship. and they
all got on board in safety. After reach
ing the ship boat was sent for the oars
Of the demolished boats; and it was deter
mined to pursue the whale with the shin.
On the return of the boat with the oars
sail was made, and the ship proceeded after
the whale and overlook him, when lance
was thrown into his head. The ship pass
ed by him, and Immediately after they
discovered the whale was making for the
ship. As he came up near her, they
hauled on the wind and allowed him to
pass her After he had fairly passed,
they kept off to oyertake and attack him
again. When the ship was within fifty
rods Of him, they discovered that the
whale had settled down deep below the
surface of the water, and, as it was near
sundown, they concluded to give up the
pursuit.
Captain Deblois was at this time stan
ding on the knight-heads, on the larboard
bow, with "craft, y in hand ready to strike
the monster deadly blow should he ap
pear, the ship moving about five knots.
when he discovered the whale rushing
towards her at the rate Of fifteen knots.
In an instant the monster struck the shin
with tremendous violence, shaking her
from stem to stern. She ou;vered az ;f
she had struck unon a rocL c.nt.;n
Deblois immediately descarded MI a.
forecastle, and there to his horror d;scov
cred that the monster had struek The shin
about two feet from her keel abreast ~
foremast. knocking preat bole en,;raly
through her bottom tbrongh wb;ob ~.
water roared and rushed ;mnetuonsly
Springine TO the deck he ordered tha ma;.
to cut away the anchors and oct tbs eahlss ,Il
overheard to keen the shin from str;r;nr
as she had a large ouant;ty ~ Mo ;ran ps e
board. re 80 ~
The mate succeeded IN cls.r;,r -.
anchor and chain: the other WINS s sss,suad s uaS
! round ~ ea-aaa.s. TN I'M ~: :a' ias'eneu
leaking rapidly but the can.a;p .nas.sSs mas sIes
in procuring 6is chronometer sawt.s. .,,sseS ''sS
chart. and tbere wore a. e., s''s &c '-s. aae
in the cabin The boats war war. :, a,a.ss5 49,,
away. and such water .nd nrnr;.;sssa - sa'sa !.
were nract;cahle wer. 80 - ~ .I =
the shin was KEELING ovsr g. % Tso 'sna' Ts -
returned ~ tha aah;r I IT,. a. NY .ap'ain
rusb;ng Il Il r.n;dly ~ ~ m ae..,s sA'el was
potbine He then o.d.raa 1u III !. ploeu,o