The morning call., 1890-10-13
Scrap BETWEEN SHARKS.
A Thrilling Sea Fight on the Coast of
Florida


The shoal waters around this section of
coast is the great resort of hundreds of huge
sharks that feed on the immense schools of
fish that breed and live in these waters.
Once in while these marine monsters have
slight "onpleasantnesses OF their own, and
then the spectacle is a magnificent one if
there happens TO be any one in view.
George Weeks reports having nearer
view of one of these sea fights than he bar
gained Tor. While going from Old Mans
Headland the other day, across the narrow
bay to Days store, in small boat, lie sud-
denly observed wild cOmmotion in the
water half mile from him. He sailed up
toward the spot, his curiosity being aroused
by the big waves raised, and tried 10 see
what the trouble was about. Suddenly,
when with 100 yards or so of the spot,
he saw huge shark jump uD out of
the water ten feet or more, while a still
larger one leaped up in vain pursuit. See
ing their long lengths and full size, George
tried to beat off, as he had no desire to be in
the melee. But to his terror and fright he
saw that the big brutes were swiftly fighting
their way toward him, and in a jitfy he was
in the center OF it.
The two fighting sea tigers did not seem
to mind him, but thrashed around in way
that threatened to upset his boat, which
danced and rocked most dangerously in the
high swells created by the big sharks VIC
lent movements All at once one of them
attempted to leap out of the water and fell
half across the stern of bis boat George
sprang up just in time TO escape being caught
under it and his sudden removal to the
other end of the boat prevented its upset
ting. The wind was light, but the sail
Tapped around in manner that threatened
to upset him, while the big shark kicked mp
terrible fuss over his strange plight. The
other big one began eating at The others tail.
and This added TO the prisoners struggles.
George saw that he must 90 something to
save himself and creeping forward, he got
close to the shark and hit him stunning
blow with the ak he had in the boat. TIE
blow only terminated the big fellow, and,
with a plunge, he slid forward, pinning
George up against the mast. It's ugly head
was brought up close To him, and 1t at
tempted to use its terrible teeth, but could
not as it was so cramped up in the boats
bottom. George managed to retain hold of
the ak, and hit it time and again, but il
seemed 10 have little effect on the craZed aud
struggling shark. Meanwhile the other big
fellow was biting at the little ones tail, anu
his attempt to seize more of him caused the
boat to careen over so that it began 10 fill.
The wounded shark struggled teTriically
it felt the sharp teeth of its adversary. and
plunged around in its narrow quarters in
way that threatened every moment to kill
George or swamp the boat.
SEEING the bOat-hook, George by lucky
stroke caught the shark in the boat by its
neck, and got a purchase so as to throw it
over. He pushed and pulled with all his
strength, and the shark feeling the sharp
hook in its side threw itself over on the
other side. AS ii did so a wave broke over
the boat, careening it suddenly, and with
snap OF its jaws and roll OF its huge body
the struggling shark slid over into the wa
ter. Then the fight recommended between
the two But the big fellow had his own
way now, as the other was injured badly
and little fight was left in him. He snapped
savagely at his adversary once or twice,
thrashed about and then rolled over on his
back, still struggling feebly. The victori-
Gus shark bit great pieces out of its enc
my's sides and tail and dashed savasely
around it, poking its ugly-lookng head up
every now and then to take look at the
boat, which it seemed to regard as another
'1elow" shark.
George had enough by this time, and, with
his boat half full OF water, was sailing off as
fast as possible. The shark waited to mutt
late the body Of its late adversary and then
dashed al the boat. George was mad by
this time, ana, as the huge fellow came up
alongside, hit at it with his ak, and by good
luck chopped off piece of its head. The
blood flowed in stream and soon discolored
the water for n distance around. In sec
ond scores of other sharks noses and fins
were seen rising as they scented blood, and
soon the wounded but Still furious shark
was engaged in another big scrap, as hal
dozen huge fellows pitched upon him and
tore him into pieces within as many minutes.
The scene was a horrible one, the grind
ing and munching of flesh and bone giving
shock to George that he will not get over for
many day,-Apalachico (Fla.) letter 10
the Globe Democrat.