The Republican journal., 1876-06-15
White Whales.
[ From the y. Y. Herald Of 2sth inst :

FROM tile n y Herald Of 2Sth inst
BY telegrams received in this city from Que
pee and portlahd Maine, yesterday, it is learn
| cd that the agents of MIR W. g. Col,p who is
building an acquarium of grand proportions in
this city at the corner Of Thirty-ffth street and
Broadway, have secured two tul-grown white
whales, and have transported them as far as IT, e
latter city In SAFETY All agree that if the large
specimens secured by Mr.. Coup are ,anded
safely in New York, the feat will be u marvel
beyond precedent. The whales have been trans
ported IN safety, however, as far as Portland
ana tne cEoWu OF attendants having the aristo-
cratic giants OF the sea i'll charge are sanglliue
that, under their asslduous care. the Journey
will be performed in safety, and the white won
ders of the deep will reach New York alive aud
in good condition.
The trouble and expense incurred in captur-
ing these whales would astonish an ordinary
business man with no eye to the speculative
Held OF natures wonders. In order to secure
these specimens il was necessary to send agents
to the coast of Labrador several months ago
There. on proper financial temptations being
offered, certain expert whaling men were in
uuced to attempt the dticut--and by MANY
thought to be impos> os>nle-feat of capturing the
monsters. During the spring time it is the hal-
1t OF this species Of W hale to take refuge in the
little coves and bays OF the coast to caINe They
enter when the tide floods and depart very art
fuy as 1t ebbs, lest they be LETT high and dry,
as has been several times the case. The meth
Oh employed this time to trke them alive was a
novel as well as successful one.
A strong tank, very lal ge and especially con-
strueted Tor the purpose, was sunk at the mouth
OF one of the bays, the pondrous lid on ton be-
lnS left lnvltngly open. hen, after the tide
came III at full flood a stl on5 net was stretched
across the outlet of the hay. and the fish trap
pers sat down and waited patiently for the tide
to ebb. As the water began to shoal in the bay
number of very large White whales were seen
IN Il state of great commpt ptlon. After vanlv
striving to sail out in tie open sea, being re-
strained by the net, which they did not ATTEMPT
to break through, they ,.aturullv sought the
deep water in the tank AID the a was closed
on them. A derrick, Which had been provided
for the purpose, was tlotted beside the trap,
and chains being hitci,ed to it and the WEIGHS
that sunk 1t thrown Of, an attempt was made
TO raise 1t clear out oi e water. The weights
was too great however, for the power employ
Ell on the derrick, and the attempt was ubun-
donled for the time. An inspection of the trap
however, showed the difficulty. There were
four white wh"Ies Of prodisious size founder-
lhg about lii tne!i capacl0n> prison, and their
combined Welg / was too great for the lifting
power OF he y ipafatus al hand. The old Whal-
ers held co,ncil and determined to sacrifice
Two OF u prisoners in order that they might
secure the other two alive. After much DELAY
and difficulty. the two smaller whales were
harpo he, and killed, and the carcasses drawn
on OF the trap. The attempt to raise them was
th made again, and this time with success.
~ ti'l t'ie' S"it,htH WHY idlNttt tlttl, anu
alter u long journey aloat, landed safely on
shore. There car IIGed up Ior the purpose
was ready to receive the Strange passengers,
and, after some trouble, the tank was placed in
position on it. Two other tank-cars, la,lened
with sea-Water, We're attached to this with an-
paratus 50 arranged that the tank in which ghe
whales dlspored was constantly fed with a
stream of fresh sea-Water flowing III and out.
This system worked narvelouslv well managed,
however, with the care and skill of a large
force of attendants skilled in such matters and
the special train of the whales arrived at Port
land late on Friday night without the least nc
cldent to the strange passengers. At this point.
however, it was thought best to abandon the
rail and take to the sea for the rest of the trip
to New York