Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-01-24
HOOKED AN OCTOPUS.

The Luck of Three New Orleans Fisher
men Near Ship Island.
Probably it is not generally known that
the octopus, or devil fish, frequently of a large
size is found on the coasts of Mississippi and
Louisiana. Possibly the first instance on
record of one of these fish, and one of large
size at that, having taken hook, came with
in the experience of three residents of New
Orleans a couple of years since.
Gen. Philip Buchanan, Lieut.. Col. E. c.
Fenner and Maj. Harry Howard, now mayor
of Beloxi Miss. started from that place in
the yacht of Maj Howard for Ship Island on
fishing expedition. East northeast of that
island, in about eight fathoms of water, lies
the wreck of the steamship Josephine, marked
now by buoy.
Although the vessel proper has been almost
entirely covered with sand, by careful sound
ing the location of the walking beam may be
found. On anchoring near that spot day
of good fishing is assured the angler. The
wrecked steamer has formed "a barrier or
shelter, about which the fish appear to gather,
and at certain tides, no matter what other
conditions may prevail, the abundance of
fish makes it almost drudgery to attend the
lines No sooner has the hook reached the
required depth than it is seized by some large
and voracious fish, generally red snapper,
which is a gallant fighter.
It was in August that the fishermen above
mentioned, accompanied by two sailors, in a
yawl anchored over the wreck of the jose
phine. Col. Fenner, who has prediction
for taking sharks of large size, had with
him, as usual, an inch line, ten OF fifteen
fathoms in length, equipped with hook of
suitable size for sharks. This was baited
with piece of salt pork and thrown over
board, where it remained undisturbed for a
long time The line was secured to one of
the thwarts of the boat. The fishing was as
good as usual and all were having good luck,
when attention was called to the shark line,
which was running out with great speed.
The rapidity of its movement indicated some
fish of exceptional size.
The five men had hardly time to throw
themselves to the side of the craft opposite
the line when the fish, which was firmly
hooked, bore the boat down SO that the gum
vale was partly submerged. For several mo-
ments its occupants expected that it would
be dragged broadside under by the strain.
Their first impulse was to cut the line, but
this was opposed by one Oh two of the party,
who wished to sec the end of the adventure.
At this juncture the boat suddenly righted
to an even keel; the line slackened, and it
was evident that the fish was moving toward
them The slack of the line was rapidly
taken in, which was barely accomplished
when the water became violently agitated,
and there leaped from the surface great oc-
topus in whose mouth the hook was firmly
fixed AS he threw himself above the water
he derted his tentacles, which were not less
than ten or fifteen feet long, toward the boat;
then he slowly sank and remained for few
moments apparently motionless, as if medi.
tating on mode of attack.
The condition of the fishermen was now
somewhat critical, for they were entirely I'M
provided with any weapons except couple
of oars with which to repel the attack of the
monster, and yet they were unwilling to de-
tach the line from the thwart. There was
nothing to do but to await developments. In
deed, there was but little time for consulta-
zion or action, for, after a brief delay, the
octopus again slaWly rose to the surface,
where, with his head slightly elevated he be-
gan beating the water with his tentacles. He
was apparently studying the extraordinary
adversary which he had encountered A
third time he disappeared, and this time with
fierce rush. The line fed over the side of
the beat with great velocity. The fishermen
again threw themselves to the opposite side
and awaited the shock. When it came the
line, unable to bear the strain, parted at the
thwarts and disappeared-Ne York Sun