The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-08-08
Following o Whale.
A TERRIBLE DIVE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE
OCEAN.

/ ship some time ago arrived ut Bristol, from
| o successful whaling VOYAGE. The time has
been when thousands of vessels tracked the
great sea monsters in search of oil, bot the
discoveries of the mineral article has made th 6
| trade no longer remunerative, or at least, much
/ was the West Wind, commanded by Captain
| Parker, who met with perious adventure
| during his cruise, and one which came near
costing him bis life. Under the most favorable
circumstances the occupation of the whaler 10
one OF great danger and physical trial. and
very few sbips ever return to port without
losing one or more hands by the ordinary
ex igencies of the service.
1t seems that Captain Parker was ont
from his ship with boats crew. chasing q
whale, and having fastened his harpoon to the
In the bow of the boat, began to run ont with
lightning speed, as the monster sunk to the
extreme depth Of the ocean. At this critical
juncture, Captain Parker went to the forward
part OF the boat to be sure that there was NO
gwiss In the rope to prevent its working clear.
The rope was running out with such rapidity
as to cause smoke to arise from the wood work
OF the boat, and the captain threw water, as is
OF the boat, he was canted from his position,
and he naturally threw out his left hand to
prevent himself from falling: but, in doing SO,
he unfortunately placed it so that the rope
coiied about his wrist, and he was overheard
and out of sight in an instant.
dc was perfectly conscious whilst he was
Incredible swiftness, and it seemed to him that
bis arm would be torn from its socket SO great
was the resistance of the water. During these
nwiI moments % he was well aware OF bis
| life was to cat the line. But how could he do
this He could not remove his right arm from
bis side. to which it was closely pressed by the
| force of the element through which he was
being drawn. The pressure on his brain grew
| moro and more terrible, aud a roaring az of
thunder, sounded in his ears. He opened his
him as il q stream of fire was passing before
them. And now came that inevitable activity
OF the brain which characteriEes all such
perilous situations where ones life seems to
pass in review in an instant of time.
But the captain was o very practical man.
cool and courageous always, and consequently
| still self-possessed.
| He began to struggle with all his muscular
power to reach the knife that he wore in his
belt. He felt be was growing weaker every
instant, and it was now never with him,
although we should say pareuthetioally
scribe, was reckoned by seconds, rather than
minutes. Oh, if he could command his right
band for one stroke upon that fatal Incl Now
solutely despair, but his brain reeled, aud his
nerves seemed to relax their tension, light and
darkness seemed to alternate before his eve
balls, and his head felt as if compressed in a
vice. Were these his last momentsf Hethought
In spite Of the agonizing pain that he endured
he would make one more brave effort.
The line providentially slackened for o
second he reached his knife, and as quick as
thought itself, as the rope became taut again,
the keen edge of the blade was upon it, and, by
desperate effort of his arm, it became severed
He was freed, and then commenced his upward
passage, caused by the natural buoy ancy of the
human body. After this he only remembered a
feeling of suffocation, gurgling spasm, and all
was over, until he awoke to the agonzipg pain
OF reviving consciousness in the arms of his
boats crew. Truly, one of the most remarkable
escares from death on record.