Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-10-10


OTHER DAY.
There were about 80 strong swimmers
disporting in the sparkling waters OF the
Narrows recently off the old ferry dock at
Stapleton, Staten Island. An old diver,
John TAYLOR, who has been in the service
of the Coast Wrecking Company for years.
stood on the dock By and by the swim
mers began to scamper ashore and Taylor
said Sharks Sure enough shark was
after the men. who managed to get safely
in. When the spectators were gasplng
sigh of relief, however, cry OF horror
broke out from the diver. He pointed
far out over the water on the other side
of the pier There was another swimmer
frisking about all alone in the water, all
unconscious of what had been going on
or what terrible foe had been encounter
ed near. This was young man named
Thomas Kohler. The crowd set up yell
at him and beckoned him back with fran
tic gestures. He did not understand at
first, and padded slowly in. The crowd
kept ND their excited cries. and finally
he. although not understanding the mean
ing of the commotion. started back with
all his energy, evidently satisfied that there
was some good cause for this solicitude in
his behalf. The shark, meantime, had
been scouting the other side of the pier.
where he had lost his game by so close
shave, and seemed reluctant to leave so
rich ground The shark will get onto
him sure" said a diver to the excited
spectators. 'He's only got to sweep
around the END of the pier to head him off
as be comes in on the other side." The
situation was now thrilling. The swim
mer at last had got the true situation. He
knew there were sharks 10 the water and as
he swan it was noticed that he looked ap-
prehensively at times, from side to side to
learn from which quarter he might expect
the attack His face wore an expression
of desperation. A shrek went up from
him as he drew near and saw the shark
rolling about on the opposite side of the
pier to that he was approaching. He
swan for dear life, and the crowd encour-
aged him with their frantic cries and
advice.
ut sees him! 1t sees him. yelled
the spectators
Sure enough the monster turned about
and pointed its nose towards the incoming
swimmer. 1t was apparent that the young
man could not reach the pier in time.
The shark glided along rapidly and the
swimmer too was making excellent time.
The spectators could calculate that the
converging lines on which the two were
travelling, would meet within few feet
of the dock and there would doubtless
be enacted a horrible scene. The
diver, Taylor, seemed to take sud-
den resolution, when it became apparent
that there was no escape for Kohler. He
took off his hat, coat and shoes and bor-
rowed a long sheath-knite from a sailor.
He then ran out to the extreme end OF the
pier, where the shark, it was seen, would
pass by on its course to its victim, who
was now near that point. As it came
nearer the crowd saw that it was mon
ster more than eight feet long and one of
the shovel nose species.
Taylor is large man and an expert
swimmer. AS the shark swept up and
was running direct for kohler, turning on
its back at the same time, Taylor sprang
from the pier with the sheath knife in his
right hand. He jumped about eight feet
before striking the water. He landed
about one foot on the opposite side of the
shark. The whole weight of Taylor's
body was thrown on the knife, which he
plunged as he touched the water into the
stomach of the shark. Instantly TaCFld
arm, the water and the shark were alnf
hidden in blood. The shark made terri
BILE plunge and rolled over on its stomach.
The shark was at that time within three
feet Of the young man, whom the crowd
expected to see caught. 1t then turned
and disappeared in deep water. Taylor
swan ashore without the knife. II left it
sticking in the cuss," he said.-N. Y.
Star.