The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-08-08
THE DEVIL OF THE SEA.

FRIGHFUL SCENE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
DEVIL FISH SINKS SCHOONER, WITH
ONE OF THE CREW.
From the India Homecard Mail.
The following strange story has been
communicated to us by James Floyed, late
master of the schooner PEARL"
We had left Colombo in the steamer
"Strathowen," had rounded Gale, and well
in the bay, with our course laid for Mad
ras, steaming over a calm and tranquil sea.
About an hour before sunset, on May 10th,
we saw on our starboard beam, and about
two miles off, small schooner lying be-
Gained; there was nothing in her appear
ance or position to excite remark, but as
we came up with her noticed between us,
but nearer her, long, low swelling, lying
on the sea, which, from its color and shape,
I took to be bank of sea-weed.
AS watched, the mass hitherto at rest
on the quiet sea, was set in motion. 1t
struck the schooner, which visibly reeled
and then righted. Almost Immediately
after the collision the schOoner's masts
swayed toward us, lower and lower; the
vessel was on her beam end, lay there a
few seconds and disappeared. A cry of
horror arose from the lockers on; and, as
if by instinct, our ships head was at once
turned towards the scene, which was now
marked by the forms of those battling for
life-the sole survivors of the pretty little
schooner which only twenty minutes be-
fore foated bravely on the smooth sea.
AS soon as the poor fellows were able to
tell their story they astounded us with the
assertion that their vessel had been sub
merged by a gigantic cutie fish or Gala
mary, the animal which in a smaller form,
attracts so much attention in the Brighton
had his version of the story, but in the
main all the narratives tailed so remarka-
bly, as to leave no doubt of the fact.
As soon as he was at leisure, prevailed
on the skipper to give me his written &C
count ofsthe disaster, and now send you
a copy of his narrative:
"Were bound from the Mauritius to
Rangood in ballast to return with paddy
and had put in at Gale for water. Three
days out we fell becalmed in the bay (lat
80 So north, lon. $40 s. east on May 10,
about p. NJ, eight bells I know had
gomez AS we lay motionless, great mass
rose slowly out of the sea, about half
mile off, on our larboard side, and remain
ed spread out as if it we're stationary; it
looked like the back of large whale, but
it sloped less, and was of brownsh color;
even at the distance it seemed much longer
than our craft, and it seemed to be bask-
ing in the sun.
I went into the cabin for my rifle, and
as | was preparing to fire, Bill Darling,
Newfoundlander, came Oh deck, and look
ing at the monster, exclaimed, putting up
his hand, Have care, master; that there
is squid, and will capsize us if you hurt
him. Smiling at the idea, let fly and hit
him, and wi h that he shook, and there
was great ripple all around him. and he
began to move. 'Out with all your axes
and knives shouted Bill, and cut any
part that comes aboard; look alive, and
Lord help u.s. Not aware of the danger,
and never having seen or heard of such a
monster, | gave no orders and it was no
use touching the helm or ropes to get out
of the way. BY this time three of the
crew, Bill included, had found axes, and
one rusty cutlass, and all were looking