Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-05-25
Capture Ofthe Sea.Serpeni

The Glasgow Scotland Mars of recent
day publishes Il circumstantial narrative of a
resident at Ohan, from which, if it be true.
1t appears that the sea serpent has at length
been actually at that place. Under date of
April -, the correspondent writes: "A
most extraordinary event has occurred here.
which give in detail having been eyewitness
to the whole affair | allude to the strand
ing and capture Of the veritable sca->erpent
in front of the Caledunian hotel, George
street, Oban. About o'clock Yesterday
an animal or fish, evidently Of gigantic size
was seen sporting in the Bay near IIeathen
Island. Its appearance evidently perplexed
large number Of spectators assembled on
the pier, and several telescopes were direct
ed toward it. A careful lruk satisfied US
that 1t was one oi the Scrycnt species, it
carrying its head iully - feet above the
water. \ number OF boats we're soon
launched and proceeded u the hay. the
crews armed with such weapons a. cuuld I've
got handy. Under the direction ul Mdcolm
Nicholson, our boatrian, they hca led the
monster, and some OF the boats were within
30 yards OF 1t when it suddenly spsang half
length out Of the water and made for the
open. \ random fire from several volun-
teers with rifles seemed to hayc no fleet on
it. Under Mr. Nichyl>on'S uritrs the boats
now ranged across the entrance at hay, and,
by the screams and shouts, turned the mon
ster's course, and it headed directly for the
breast wall OF the Great Western hotel.
One boat containing Mr. Donald Campbell,
the fiscal had Il most narruw c-cIrc. the ami
NAL actually rubbing against it, Mr. Camp
hell and his brother jumped oIcrhourd. and
were picked up uhhurt hy .l,hn H. llardie,
saddler, in his small yacht. the Fiv:ng Scud.
The animal seemed thoroughly frightened,
and as the boats closed in the volunteers
were unable to fire mole. owing To the
crowds assembled rn the ~h,rr. AZ little
past q O'Clock the muirSfcr took the ground
on the beach in front Oi Tie t'slclonmn hO-
tel in George street, and his proportions
were row lully visible In his frantic ex-
ertinns, with his tail sweeping the beach. no
one daIcd To approach. The stones were
flying IN all directions; one seriously in
jurinE man called Baldy Barrow, and
another nscakiug the window of the Com
mercml. bank party OF volunteers, under
Lieut.. David Menzles, now assembled, and
fired yullcy after volley into the neck, accord
ing to the directions of DR.. Campbell, who
did not wish, for scientific reasons, that the
c9niiguration Of the head should be damaged. |
As there was n bright moon, that continued |
till nearly 10 o'clock, when Mr.. Stevens. of
Commercial bank, waded in and fixed IL
strong r,Ie t. the animals head, and by the
cxcrtunS Of some 20 folk it was securely
dragged above high water mark. Its exact |
appearance a. II lies on the beach Is aS fol |
lows; The extreme length Is lnl feet, and !
the thickct part is about - feet from the |
head, whch is feet in circumference At |
this part iS fixed pair of fins, which are |
four feet long hv nearly feet across at the |
sides Farther back Is a long iorsal lin, cx- |
tending for at least l. or Is leet, and five |
feet high in front, tapering To one foot. |
The tale is more OF hittcned termination |
to the body proper than anything else The
eyes are very small in proportion and elong-
ated, and gllls Of the length of > IL feet be
hind. There are no external ears and, aS
Dr. Campbell did not wish the animal hand
led till he communicated with some cmin-
ent scientific gentleman. We could not as
certain if there were teeth or not. Great cx-
citement is created and country people are
tlocking in tO view it. This morning, Mr..
Duncan Clark writer, formally took posses
sion Of the monster, in the rights Of Mr.
NJ Fee OF Appin, and Mr.. James Nicul.
writer, in the name ol the crown.