The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-05-17
CAPTURE Of the sea.Serpent.

The Glasgow Nei0s Of recent day pub
fishes circumstantial narrative by resi-
dent at Oban, from which, If it be true, it
appears that the sea-serpent has ut length
been actually captured at chat place. Un-
der date of April ~, the correspondent
writes: ga most extraordinary event has
occurred here, which give in detail, having
been eyewitness to the whole affair. I al
lude to the stranding and capture of the veri-
table sea-serpent in front of the Caledonian
Hotel, George street, Oban. About four
O'Clock yesterday an animal or fish, evidently
OF gigantic size, was seen sporting in the
bay near Heathern Island. Its appearance
evidently perplexed large number of spec
tators assembled ION the pier, and several
telescopes were directed toward it. A care
full look satisfied us that it was one of the
serpent species. it carrying Its head fully %
feet above the water. A number of boats
were soon launched and proceeded to the
bay, the crews armed with such weapons as
could be got handy. Under the direction Of
Malcolm Nicholson, our boatman, they head
ed the monster, and some of the boaSs were
within 40 yards Of when it suddenly sprang
half-length out of the water and made for
the open. A random fire from several vol
unteers with rifles seemed to have no effect
OH it. Under Mr.. Nicholson's orders they
now ranged across the entrance of the bay,
and, by the screams and shouts, turned the
monsters course, and it headed directly for
the breast-wall of the Great Western Hotel.
One boat, containing Mr.. Donald Campbell,
the Fiscal. had a most narrow escape, the
animal actually rubbing against it. Mr..
Campbell and his brother jumped o1erboard,
and were picked up unhurt by Mr.. John d.
Hardie, saddler, in his small yacht, the Fly
ing Scud. The animal seemed thoroughly
frightened, and as the boats closed in the
volunteers were unable to fire more, owing
to the crowds assembled on the shore. At q
little past the monster took the ground on
the beach in front OF the Caledonian Hotel,
In George street, and his proportions were
now fully visible. In his frantic exertions,
with his tail sweeping the beach, no one
dared approach. The stones were flying in
all directions; one seriously injuring man
allied Balday Barrow, and another breaking
the window of the Commercial bank. A
party OF volunteers, under Lieut.. David
Menzes, now assembled, and fired volley
after volley into the neck, according to the
directions of DR.. Campbell, who did not
wish, for scientific reasons, that the configu
ration OF the head should be damaged. As
there was bright moon, this continued till
nearly 10 o'clock, when Mr.. Stevens, OF the
Commercial Bank, waded in and fixed a
strong rope to the animals head, and by
the exertions of some 20 folk it was securely
dragged above high-water mark. Its exact
appearance as it lies on the beach is as fol-
lows: The extreme length is lO1 feet, and
the thickest part Is about % feet from the
head, which is IL feet in circumference. At
this part is fixed pair of fins, which are
4 feet long by nearly feet across at the
sides. Further back is long dorsal fin, ex-
tending for at least II or Is feet, and feet
high IN front. tapering to foot. The ia il is
more of fattened termination to the
body proper than any thing else. The eyes
are very small in proportion and elongated,
and gills of the length OF 81 feet behind.
There are no external ears; and, as DR..
Campbell did not wish the animal handled
till he communicated with some eminent
scientific gentlemen, we could not ascertain
II there were teeth or not. Great excitement
is created, and the country people are flock
ing In to view it. This morning Mr.. Dun
can Clark, writer, formally took possession
OF the monster, in the rights Of Mr.. McFee,
of Appin, and Mr.. Jas. Nicol, writer, in the |
name of the Crown.''