The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-03-21
Hooked nm Octopus.

Probably it is not generally known
that the octopus, or devil fish, frequent
ly Of large size, is Found on the coast
of Mississippi and louisiana. Possibly
the d,sJ instance on record of one of
these fish, and one OF large size az that,
having taken a hook, came within the
experience OF three residents OF New
Orleans fcw years since.
Gen, Philip buchanan, Lieut.. Col. Z.
G. Fenner and Major Harry Howard,
row Mayor of Beloxi, Miss, started
from that place in the yacht OF Major
Howard for Ship Island on o fishing ex-
pediiJn. Fast northeast Of that island
in about eight fathoms of water, lies
the wreck OF the Josephine, now marked
by buoy.
Although the vessel proper has beeh
almost entirely covered with sand, by
careful sounding che location of the
walking beam may = found. On an
choriug near the spot day OF good
fishing is assured the angler. The
wrecked steamer has formed barrier
T.
gather, and at certain tides, no matter
what other conditions may prevail, the
abundance % fish makes it almost
drudgery to attend the lines. No sooner
has the hook reached the required depth
than it is seized by large and voracious
fish. generally a red snspp r, which is a
gallant fighter.
IL was in August that the fishermen
aoove mentioned, accompanied by two
sailors. in yawl, anchored over the
wreck OF the JC-sphine. Col. Fenner,
who has a prediction for taking sharks
OF large siZs. had with him, as usual,
an inch line. ten or -atteen fsthoms in
length equipped with j hook OF suitable
sfze Tor sharks. This was baited with
piece OF salt pork and thrown over
tlMd, where it remained undisturbed
for a long time. The line was secured
to one Of the thwsrts Of the I It. The
fishing was as good as usual and all were
having good luck, when at 3ntiOn was
called to the shark line. which WAS rul.
ming out with great speed. The rapid
itv Of its movement indicated some- fish
of exceptional si2e.
The i've men had hardly time to
throw themselves to the side OF the
craft opp tie the liue, when the fish :
which was firmly hooked, bore the Dat
down so that the guuwale was partly
submerged. FoI Soveral moments its
occupants expected that it would to
dragged bToadside under by the strain.
Their first impulse was to cut the line.
but this was OPT ,sed by one or two Of
the party, who wished to L1e the end OF
the adventure.
At this juuciuUe the t1at suddenly
rigated to an evil keel the line slack
ened, aud it was evident that the fish
was moving toward them. The slack
OF the line was rapidly taken, which was
barely accomplished when the water be
came violently agilaled, there leaped
from the surface q great octopus, in
whC-e mouth the hook was lrmlY fixed
AS h8 threw himself above the water.
he darled his tentacles, which were not
less than ten or fifteen feet long, toward
The boat then he slowly sank and re-
manned FOR a few moments, apparently
motionl IS, as if medil ting on mode
of attack.
The condition Of the fishermen was
now someWha, critical, for they were
entirely UnprOvided with any wea 1ons
except a couple Of o.rs with which to
rePsI the attack of the monster, aud yet
they wa unwilling TO dstach the line
from the thwart. There wss nothing
TO DO put 20 await developments. In
deed, there was little time for eonsulta.
tiou or action, for, after brief delay,
the octopus again slowly arose to the
sufface, where, with bis head slightly
elevated. he t2gan beating the water
with his tentacIJ-. lie was apparently
s.udying the fxtTaorllnary adversary
which be had encountered. \ third
time he dis, ppearej, and this time with
a deTCe rust. The line few over the
side OF the coat with great velocity.
The q hermen again threw thems lives
- The opposite eide and awaited the
shock. When It came the line, unable
70 hear the strs,u. parted at the thwsrts
and disappeared.