The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-03-12
Hooked an Octopus.

Probably it Is not generally known
that the octopus. or devil fish. frequently
Of large size. is found on the coast Of
Mississippi and i-ouisiana. Possibly the
first instance on record Of one Of these
fish, and one Of large size At that, having
taken a hook. came within the exaeri-
enee Of three residents Of New Orleans
a few years since.
Gen Philip Bochauan, Lieat- Col F. c.
Fenner and Msjor Harry Howard, now
mayor Of Beioxi Miss, started from that
place in the yacht Of Major Howard sor
Ship Island on q fishing expedition. East
northeast Of that island in about eight
fathoms Of Nnter, lies the wreck Of the
Josephine. nov marked by buoy
Although the vessel proper has been
almost entirely covered with sand, 10y
careful sounding the location Of the
xalking beam NAV be found. On an
ehoring near the spot day Of good fish
ing Is assured the angler. The wrecked
steamer has formed barrier or shelter,
about which the fish seem 10 gather, and
at certain tides, no matter what other
conditions NAV prevail, the abundance
Of fish makes it almost drudgery to attend
the lines. No sooner has the hook reach
ed the required depth than it is seized by
a large and goracious fish, generally red
snapper. which Is a gallant fighter.
1t was in Auzust that the fishermen
above mentioned, accompanied by two
sailors, in a yawl, anchored over the
wreck Of the Josephine Col Fenner,
who has a predilection for taking sharks
Of large size, had with him, as usual, an
iueh line, ten or fifteen fafhOms in length
equipped with a hook Of suitable size
for sharks. This was baited With piece
Of salt pork aud thrown overheard, where
It remained undisturbei for long time.
The line was secured to one Of the
thwar.s Of the boat The fishing was as
good as usual AMI an we're having good
luck. when attention was called to the
shark line. which was running out with
great speed. The rspidity Of its move
ment Indicated some fish Of exceptional
size
The five men had hardly time TO throw
themselves to the side Of the craft cpPo-
site the line. Wien the fish, which was
firmly hooked, bore the boat down 50
that the gunwale was partly submerged.
For several moments iis occupants ex-
pected that it would be dragged broad
side under by the strain. Their first i'm
pulse was to cut the line, but this was
opposed by one or two Of the party, who
wished TO see the end Of the adventure.
At this junciure the boat suddenly
righted 10 an evil keel the line slaeken-
ed, and il was evident that the fish was
moving toward them The slack Of the
line was rapidly taken, which was barely
accomplished when the water became
violently agiiated, and there leaped from
be surface a great octopus, in whose
mouth The hook was firmly fixed As
he threw himself above the water, be
darted his tentacies, which were not less
than ten or fifteen feet long, toward the
boat then he slowly sank and remained
for few moments, apparently motion
less, as if meditating on a mode Of attack
The condition Of the fishermen was
now somewhat critical, for they were en-
tirely unprovided with any weapons ex-
cepta couple Of oars with which to repel
the attack Of the monster, and yet they
were unwilling to detach the line from
the thwart There was nothing to do but
10 await developments. Indeed, there
was little time for consultation OF action,
I for, after brief delay. the octopus again
slowly rose to the surface, where, with
bis head slightly elevated, be began beat
ing 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 a fierce rnsh. The line few over
the side Of the boat with great velocity.
The fishermen agsin 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 DIS
appeared.-N T. Sun.