Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-06-26
Cruising For Devil FISH.

A letter from Apalachicola, Fla, narretes
this exciting sport -
At seven o'clock this morning tho order to
get up steam and away Was given by Captain
Klink, and the Julia headed for the Gulf on
cruise for the devil fish, and every one was on
the watch for the king of the fluny tribe. We
had been out hardly half an hour when the cry
camo from all parts of the boat-"lhere ls
one ~ "Thero is another ahead OF u.s. The
boat was stopped and everything got ready,
under the supervision of Captain HochStrasser,
and the life boat launched and manned by Geo.
l4apham, Charles Marks, Mr. Mccormack, aud
Segre harpoops and all ready, when he llfeboat
made for the devil fish, lying about half mile
to the leeward of the steamer.
Lapham was steering and Marks 10 the bow
with bis poon--waiting IN opportunity. tho
Soappers aDXously waiting. In a few minutes
Marks arms could be seen raised in the act OF
striking. Down the harpoon goes into the devil
fish,, when shout from the steamer could be
heard mile, and the intensest excitement ex
listed. Away went the lifeboat, it looked lik.:
at tho rate of fifty miles an hour in tow OF 4
fish, who WAS running for life. After runn. +
for half an hour. There, he is gone. Su :
enough, the harpoon had bent double al!
pulled out.
After making circle Of FIVE or SIX miles We
headed again for the entrance of St. Joseph's
Bay. Again could be heard from all parts Of
the steamer, There they are again j. 'Thcre
they are a9ainl' when the slow bells wero
ruug, and the steamer laid to. Agaio the life
boat was launched and manned by the same
crew, this time determined to capture one
As soon as launched, with everything ready.
under oars the boat slowly approached the
devil fish, who could be plainly seen from the
steamer l.z;Iy hlppug his immense wings or
hippers, little dreaming OF danger.
When within few feet of bim, up goes
Marks arm. down goes the barpoon into him,
away be goes carrylog the liieboat like light.
niug for two miles, when the boat could be
seen to sacken its speed. In few moments
again could be seen the motion Of NJ srks' arm,
when be sent another harpoon into hun. away
they 20 agaio. The last bsrpoon had srluS,d
him to aDother effJrt for life. This time tue
lite boat fairly f;w on the water a. very high
rate Of speed. After the secoud barphon, all
10 The steamer began to feel oouhdent that We
would capture him this time. After halt an
hours bard fight, was heard from the llfeboat,
lying about half mile off from the steamer,
Hes dead when shou, went up flom the
Susppcrs.
The steamer WAS moved sNowly Up TO the l:e-
boat when another harpoon WAS sent to them,
which M soon as 'ec-ls-d was piul ged Tito
him, but ho Was exhausted .nd dtd not Ill ke
another 1t uggle. Tnoy me 10 g='ds toe
| -teamer y. d .br roues MA :. f.-t Tue d-v.i-
Fl b Il. W 'aued w. ~b r. 81" I'D p d-rrick
a,rnG ga f. he purpose .-ttcr h.Vl',g & N ID"
H.. cu:ey y ~ M va, h"ui"d "n o)Hrd the
IT,. III" '''te' bre"kin- -hr rh"a. '-.'. ''r afo
| sLr :.,n- $ ri. u = ock d .ch -
81. q rs: e. Il u iau II IN - val
with IT, lick Finally he ".s i"'.d nn re
duca. The Work c"n-utnl"v sn Ir I'D tn't
hrr, W-s s.,u,r .u.'ee nI"s u ,Drer-
u - crew In h.'!" Cl thecH &c 'lts ~
i'll !e-i -" 1 =! alj',' ul IA;
-n-v, ers' y ID l-ia n 'I'.. &C '.I''
ORE s.i',. f. jed We years
~, on, slons, b, a,runl ISL -,u':n!. '.re
| 'r,n h.'L .r1 f..T ir'u ,rI -
~ d t., Il u,,r. lr =. II e !; 'ron -ye 10
y" y. ct nd 3 III r..s
t1i- npi--rsl.ct is Very nluon TIM IealTer.'
! win -ACe,L lHH 49, ~hlcO - Oi> .h0
| keen Tue outlines of the d=vii-isn .re n .rke1
.ut OF the deck of tbs stean.r, where it can
LOW be eeeu.