The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1888-01-26
BATTLE WITH A SEA MONSTER.
Boston Globe,

'~" 'NSV, "hiSh hdS uecu enBdgeu
In the hnback whale fishery on the
erstern coast this season, recently
when about fifteon miles east-south-
east from Sequin Island, off the coast
of Maine, saw large lone whale Of
that species and attempted it's cap
ture. A boat was lowered and man.
ned with Captain West, with large
heavy whaling gun, in which was an
explosive bomb lance, took the breach
of the boat, while the mate steered.
Upon approaching the whale it was
seen that he would be an ugly custo-
mer to deal with, as he showed an
inclination to run around, evidently
waiting to be attacked.
When the boat was near enough to
warrant shot, Captain West fred
the gun, but as the sea was rough the
motion of the boat destroyed the ac-
curacy Of the aim, The whale was
badly wounded but not in any vital
part. The whale then made for the
boat, and in passing under it struck
1t with its flukes, throwing it some
thirty feet into the air with its crew,
throwing the men out. AS the boat
descended the whale again struck it
with his tail and completely demol-
ished the boat, killing one of the
crew, Jacob Klock, cutting him com
pletely in two. The whale then COM
menced to bite and strike with his
tail at the pieces of the boat, killing
two more men, Neil Olsen and Chris
johnson, who were supporting them
selves on pieces of the wreck.
While the whale was engaged in
destroying the boat, Captain West,
the mate and one seaman fortunate
lylsecured an oar apiece and swan
away from the place. On board the
steamer the mishap was seen. Anoth,
er boat was lowered and the three
men picked up and taken on board
much exhausted. Nothing daunted,
Captain West resolved upon captur-
ing the fish, Everything was got in
readiness; two guns were loaded,
each with the explosive lance, Cap
tain West taking one and his mate
the other, and taking their positions
in the bow of the steamer, word was
given to go ahead. The whale in the
mean was lying still among the debris
of tbs wrecked boat, occasionally
throwing his hues into the air.
AS the ship neared the monster, he
left the wrecked boat and made for
the steamer, with the evident inten-
ton of striking her on the port bow.
BY quick turn of the rudder the
steamer cleared him by few feet,
but with no chance for a shot.
The whale then turned and again
made for the steamer, coming down
from the wipdward for about mid
ships OF the vessel. Captain West
saw that the whale evidently intend
ed to breach on to the vessel, and
the word was given to go ahead at
full speed. So the whale reared its
huge head and body into the air, the
little steamer sprung ahead, and the
whale fell into the water with ter
rife noise, and just cleared the
steamers stern by a few feet. When
the whale struck the water it made
such heavy swell that the men were
unable to stand on the deck.
Seeing that it was impossible to
get shot at the monster without
risk to the steamer and crew, anoth-
err plan was resorted to. A strong
water cask, holding about $50 gallons
was emptied of its contents, and then
bunged tightly. The steamer was
once more headed for the fighter,
and as she approached him he again
came to the attack. The cask was
thrown overheard to attaact his at
tention and the vessel retreated to
safe distance. The whale instantly
went for the cask, throwing it high
in the air with his hues, but such
was its strength and buoyancy no
damage was done to it. After sever
al futile attempts to smash the cask
with his fukes, he commenced to
swim slowly around it occasionally
striking it with his head and attempt
ing TO bite 1t, evidently forgettul Of
the ship, which was watching his
movement closely.
This was Captain Vests chance,
and silently but swiftly the little
steamer glided up behind him at a
short distance from his tail, and be.
fore he was aware OF its approach he
received the contents of both thu
whale guns, the bomb lance explod
ing in his lungs. The steamer sheer
ed off to place of safety, the whal,
forged ahead about 100 yards an,
commenced to break and lash tn
sea into foam in its frenzy and dyin,
struggles, throwing high in the al
large quantities Of blood, shown
that he had received his deaf
wound. After about FIVE minutes
struggling he commenced to slowl
mill around and finally giving on