New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-14
oTHERE SHE BLOWS"
. WELCOME CRY OFF AMAGANSETT SHORE
c,prrR1yG TWO LARGE WHALES NEAR THE EAST
END OF LONG ISLAND.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDuNH.l


,o,xsrrr Dec. 13-Times have changed
the east end of Long Island and the Massachusetts
cast scnt out yearly gallant fleets OF whalers 10 tho
PariAc and the Arctic Ocean. But the trsd'ohs Vi ~
good old days still live. and nowhere are 'hcS oio
fondy cherished than in Amagansett In the pes' loo
Of the struggling cottages which line inc Single p'o"
sandy street of this fishing village hang the tropnes "
many an eyentful whaling cruise. There are inc nue
toeh of the sperm whale carved with rude designs Oh
eagles and flags. There the formidable tuSks Vi '
varus: there are old harpoons and Iances "hicn n'0
frured in many a hOtly contested pattlei lhe'o "i0
enormous pieces OF whalebonc from which sti hahsS
the long black hair The villagers have stories 10 reo
NJ boats crushed and sent TO the bottom by single
blow from the fuke of animal OF the countess OAR
ros of oil yielded by the blubber OF another OF ohE
chases and hairbreadth escapes. Among the oo "'"
of AmaCansett none is picturesque hgure th"n
Captain "Josh Edwards. Born of family OF "h"ioi
he has himself sailed the Pacific and the Arcuc anu III
the words Of the villagers, When he gets neie' ho
pisener.' ,,No,
ing instincts are alive within him. On SaIuru"S
morning at daybreak he and his boy were on theH way
down 10 the get the dory ready for starting OUT
TO days fishing As they reached ue 'oP
of the sandhi that slopes gently down to the sea- inc
Captain thought he saw another boat that had GOT uutr
way before him and was already half mile OH solo'
Pointing il out to his boy, he remarked:
There's somebody that's been spryer than u.s. VINO
do you suppose It can be
Then he oyfully sang ont as q slGht always "tc"mc
70 whaler met his eyes: "By gosh, thar she blows"
yJo was about TO add "sparm whale three points on the
mort how" but he remembered that he was not ON the
deck Of whalcr in the North Pacific ana he dropped
his fishing tackle without wasting time i'll useless WORDS
and ran for his house. What Captain josh had taken
for a fishing boat indeed whale, or rather TWO
whales and just the moment when he was pointing II
ont to his boy the whale had spOued Whenevera whale
is sighted off Amagansett the joyful news is publshed
ly showing out Wcft." Tie weft Is attcrcd old
flag always causes sensation when II makes us
appearance IN the sleepy little village Iherc Is 'e
meudous buse gigs haIpoous and ances are prepared
for use and the villagers flock down to the shore to
watch the departure OF the whaers andto seeWat eS
can OF the battle the land Three boats started out
on Saturday with six men IN each captain JOSH was III
command OF one with his brother, Captain GaOc Lu-
wards. The other boats were commanded 10y jesse Ia
wards ana Jonathan Edwards, all of the same family
Captain JOsh was the hIst TO START pu'
the whales, as if anticipating the attack
had moved off the southeast and there
was a slim chance before the whaers. They bent Wig
orousy TO their oars however, and from time to tlme
were encouraged by Captain JOSH VINO was at the helm
ana sang out cheerily Thar she blows when the
whales came TO the surface for brcating spell some
tines the animals stayed nearly half an hour under
water and the faces Of the would grow long at the
thought Of losing their prize But at length great jet
OF water would again leap into the air ana each Time
nearer and nearer till at length the boat was within
few yards Of the great animals.
cow about sixty feet length the bull about forty rich
nrles lot the Door fishermen. Each felt his heart
beating like sledgehammer against his uos as Cap
tain Gabe stood up in the bow Of the boat examined
the rope Of his harpOon to assure himself that 1t Wouu
run smoothly through the groove in the bo"
balanced in his hand the heavy piece
OF ash with its three feet OF cod
steel and stood ready to throw. The whales were
playing innocently together AS whales DO suddenly
the harpoon went whizNng from Captain Gabes mana
.ln..f, - rstyF lfT
was a commotion, shower OF spray tnEed win o'ooi'
and a glimpse Of the huge fins and fuGc Iashing the
water.
Back her away" shouted Captain Gaoe, and the men
obcycG promptly
Have You made fastr sang out Captain Josh from
the stern sheets.
"Aye, aye" replied his brother.
'Then come aft and handle the boat, while
I take the lead" said Captain Josh. GaDe
obeved and his brother took the place in the bow lance
in hand waiting opportunity to inhct the death
blow, the whales were resolved to Die game II dio
they must and whalers had stubborn battle before
them The wounded cow and the bull rolled over ana
over together until the harpOon line was wound around
the body Of each, ashing them firmly together Then
down ey plunged. hoping TO escape their pursuerS by
seeking the depth the The line smoked as 1t ran
through the groove aud the breathessy waited for
the animals to reappear At last they began to rise The
lance ready Tor use. The other boats came up
when the whales again appeared on The surface they
were greeted with shower OF missiles. Inc animals
owed and fought. The lines became hopcersiy en-
tangled Boats and whales lay slGc by side. while the
great hukes lashed the water and from time to time
lance darfed through the air and pierced
one OF the black, shiny backs making the
Ocsb ouiver The bows OF two Of the boats were soon
stove in by from the whales tails aud the men
were hard at work bailng out the water Inc animals
fought desperately their lives although the cow was
now spouting blood. sign that she had been touched III
vital spot they broke the harpOon lines ana got
away, but their puTsuers were again upon thein ana
fresh harpoOus buried ia their bodies Through all
the fight whales kept close ether rising each time
side by side ana striking with their hukcs as
81 their movements governed by single BRAIN AT
last after being pierced side, they began 10
shnw signs of exhaustion. The whalcrs approached
Them more boldly and sti spearcd them mcrcilGsy.
Alter two hours fight the rolled over on her side
dead and within Two minutes the little Duu was DEAD
.--.--,....
when the battle the men found themselves
mi Amagansett One boat made fAs 20 cacn
whale and 4 made for the shore. 1t was no
easy task however, these huge crcasscs thTouyh
the water and it midnight before the cow was s1c
Iy hauled up the beach. Then IA watch was SCI 70
guard the against being carried away ny thc
Tide and the whalcrs and though proud ana
content, returned to their cottages.
To-morrOw the bodies will bc cut up and the bubbcr
and whaebone taken out. Each animal Is worth over
thousand dollars aud the Amagansett women are al
ready planning presents they want for ChTiatmas
PPA CTISTNG FOR THE BILLIARD TOURNAMENT
CHICAGO, Dec. 13 (Speciab The big three
billiard players again in the city hard at work train
ING for the tournament which is TO begin December