The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-10
THE SCI SERPENT.
The Extraordinary Power oftbc Sea Monster,
and IA Scheme TO Catch him.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: The de-
scripiion ofthe sen serpent, Observed in latitude
s. 10 s.. longitude $50 W.. from the Liverpool
bark Pauline. first published in the London
TELEGRAPH and reproduced in THE SUN of Feb
o. IL but one of many equally well authenticated
accounts Of similar monsters which have. from
time to time. been seen disportng in the great
deep.
We have the alldavits Of the officers and crew.
sevcrally declared and subscribed before n Liv-
crpool magistrate that on one occasion they
saw this creature girdling an enormous whale
twice with thirty or forty-feet to spare at either
end: and upon another they saw the same or
n similar one with its head raised some sixty
feet perpcndicularly in the air.
People in general have come to regard these
monsters us existing only in the excited imagi-
nation Of superstltious and dcludcd scamcn !;
but in the same issue we read the opinion Of
Richard A. Proctor. d" that such things as sea
serrenis are not unlikely to exist for what nat
urast knows all the forms OF animals which
inhabh the oceans?
From the undcnlable vcracty Of numerous
parties who have given their testimony as
having really seen such monsters. and from
The certainty That many creatures yet unknown
toman must exist in the seas. is II not unreason-
able TO doubt the existence OF sea scrpentsf
Need We longer look 20 storms, icebergs. and
sunken reefs TO account for the Disappearance
OF every gallant ship which has sailed from port
never to be heard of mOrep Is IL improbable
that some OF them may have been attacked and
crushed IaOrOOn- like within the folds of some
gigantic monst"rf II is true the individuals
seen 10y the Liverpool Captain and his crew per
haps were not Of size sufficient TO destroy an
ordinary steamship; but We have accounts Of
murh larger ones, and we have no means of
knowing that even these had attained their ma
turity. Would not a little OF the money appro-
priated in fitting out expeditions to search for
the North Pole Ice better expended i'll one sent
in quest Of Sca serp"ntsf
Siucr they are met with by chance 50 frequent
~. Il scar h systematically conducted would
probably result in the discovery. and perhaps
capture. Of one Of these monsters,
II the undertaking be successful, all cavil with
regard to their existence will cease. science will
I've advanced. and lasting renown reflected upon
tn. fortunate projectors.
No one can predict what practical use the car
case Of such monster might suhserve. His
teeth might supply valuable ivory; his tat n SUI
pcrior oil; his skin mi ht be- found a suitable
~ Destitute Tor tiles or slate. ami one or more
-hip-ioads of bones would he obtained. which.
~ nnt found useful to the cutler or ioymakcr.
would certainly be ~ no small value when
transformed INTO frrtiliz. II.
lhe pursuit IF the sea serpent would be OK
citing and doubtless dangerous. and wound r,'-
q1ir' different appliances from any at present
IN u-o.
We would suggest that soma Of Secor Robe
sons torpedo boats might very properly be
attached To- such an expedition. The rNpiurion
of "A torpedo chnrgrd with ntro-gly errins
would. at least stun him, and he could then be
dcspatoh" WITHOUT great DIM 'ulty.
In the event of his capture W. claim no share
81 Tia" glory. but II allowed the honor OF supply
INK "a name. in cons Iteration OF our services,
would suggest Hgrdng,uS longissnnd pra-
cupnnn .ou7 aud d strlptNc. OlAlLl.
LIE. Mass. Feb ).