The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-05
BATTLE WITH \ SEA MONSTER.
= EinbacL Whale Kills Three OF the
Crew OH n Whaling SteameT.
Ernnl tie Boston GZOLe.

Iron, the Boston Globe.
The whaling steamer "Lizzie ~"
Captain West. which has been ell
gagged in the fnback whale fishery Oh
the eastern coast this season, or Oc-
tober 6, when about fifteen miles
east south east from Sequin island,
off the coast of aine. large lone
whale of that species and attempted
its capture. A boat was lowered and
manned with Captain West, his mate
and four seamen. Captain West,
with q 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 customer to deal with, as be
showed no inclination to run, but
kept slowly milling 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 &C.
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
it with his fukes, 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 demor-
allied 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 Q-en 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 fortunately secured
an oar apiece and swan away from
The place. On board the steamer the
mishap was seen.
ANOTHER BOAT WAS LOWERED
and the three men picked up and
taken on board much exhausted.
Nothing dauDted, Captain West re-
solved upon capturing the fish. Every
thing was got IN readiness; two guns
were loaded, each with the explosive
lance, Captain West taking one and
his mate the other. and taking their
positions in the bow Of the steamer,
word was given to 60 ahead. The
whale in the meantime was tying
still among the debris Of the wrecked
boat, occasionally throwing his fukes
into the air.
As,the ship neared the monster,
he left the wrecked boat and made
for the steamer, with the evident in.
tention of striking her on the port
bow. BY quick turn of the rudder
the steamer cleared him by few
feet. but with DO chance for shot.
The whale then turned and again
made for the steamer, coming down
from the windward for about mid
ships of the vessel. Captain West
saw that the whale evidently intend
ed to breach on to the vessel. and
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 q terrific noise, and just
cleard the steamers stern by 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
great risk to the steamer and crew
another plan was resorted to. A
large, strong water cask, holding
about 250 gallons, was emptied of its
contents and then bungcd tightly.
The steamer was once more headed
for the fighter, and as she approached
him he again came to the attack. The
cash was thrown overheard to attract
his attention and the vessel retreated
TO a safe distance. The whale in.
stantly went for the cask, throwing it
high in the air with his fukes, but
such was its strength and buoyancy
no damage was done to it. After
several futile attempts to smash the
cask with his fukes, he commenced
to swim slowly around it, occasional
" striking it with his head and at
tempting to bite it. evidently forget
ful of the ship, which was
WATCHING HIS EVERY 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 the
whale guns, the bomb lances explod
ing in his lungs. The steamer sheer
ed off to place of safety, the whale
forged ahead about 100 yards and
commenced to break and lash the sea
into foam in its frenzy and dying
struggles, throwing high in the air
large quantities of blood, showing
that he had received his death wohnd.