The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-05-21
CHASING SWORDFISH.
EASY OF APPROACH BUT DAN.
OEROUS TO HANDLE.
Not Infrequently They Attack tho Yes
sells That Pursue Them-Tu the
Danger OF the Sport Lies
Its Fascination.

the surfa0S usually allows its dorsal
fin and a portion OF its tail to project
out OF water. It is this habit which
enables the fishermen to tell when the
game is present. The creature moves
slowly under ordinary conditions and
the fishing schooner with a light
breeze finds no difficulty in overtaking
it.
When alarmed. however. 1t exhibits
enormous strength and agility. Some
times it seems to leap entirely out Of
the water. Its long, 1.-the, muscular
body. with fms snugly fitting into
grooves is admirably adapted for the
most rapid movement through the
water. Prof. Richard Owen. testify
ing in an English court respecting its
power. said:
The swordfsh at full speed strikes
with the accumulated force of fifteen
hammers swung with both hands. Its
velocity Is equal to that OF swivel
shot and the shock is as dangerous in
its effects as that OF heavy artillery
projectile."
The swordfish never comes to tho
surface except in moderate weather.
according to DR.. G. Brown 'Goode.
A vessel pursuing them has always q
man stationed at the masthead. whore,
with the keen eye which practice has
given him. he can easily descry the
tell-tale back fins at distance of two
or three miles.
When the prey is sighted the
watch gives shout and the craft Is
steered in the direction indicated
The skipper takes his place in "a sort
OF pulpit so -called at the end Of
the bowsprit, armed with harpoon
which has a detachable head. He
holds the pole which forms the handle
of the weapon with both hands di-
recting the man at the wheel by voice
and gesture how to steer.
There is no difficulty in approach
ing the intended victims with vessel
OF some size. according to tho Wash
ington Star, although, curiously
enough. they will not suffer small
boat 10 como near them.
Although there would be no diff
Guilty in bringing the end OF the bow
spirit directly over the fish skillful
harpooner never waits for this. When
the prey is from six to ten feet in
front of the vessel it is struck.
The harpoon is never thrown, the
pole being long enough to enable the
expert to punch the dart into the
back of the animal close to the back
fin. When the dart has thus been
fastened to the fish, the line attached
to it is allowed to run out. the pole
being retained in the hand. AS soon
as the rope has run as far as the
stricken creature will carry it. the
line is passed into small boat which
Is towing at the stern.
Two men jump into the boat and
pull upon the line until the fish is
brought alongside when it is killed
with whale lance stuck into the
gills. Then it is lifted upon the deck
Of the asset with tackle
The pursuit OF the swordGsh is
much more exciting than ordinary
sshing resembling rs it does the
hunting of large animals upon land
and partaking more OF the nature of
The chase. There Is no slow and
care :ul batting and patient waiting in
this pursuit.
The game Is seen and followed.
)utwitted by wary tactics and killed
py skill and strength OF arm. There
IS always danger from so formidable
an antagonist Not only is the vessel
more or less likely to be attacked by
the Infatuated animal. but there is
some peril to the fishermen thcm-
selves
Sometimes their boat is thrust
through with the sword which is a
most tremendous weapon, and GA oc-
casions persons have been killed in
the water by the angry prey. How
ever this only renders more interest
ing the sport which is sud to be one
of the most fascinating in the world
Old fishermen engaged in it as u
business have been known to fish for
swordfish all night in their dreams
bruislng their hands and skinning
their knuckles against the top OF their
berths while spearing the imaginary
monsters
There are any number OF stories
respecting the ferocity OF the sword
fish. In several we'll authenticated
cases they are said to have pierced the
sides OF vessels projecting their
weapons through copper sheathing
and several inches Of planks
1t is related that on calm day in
the summer OF 1882 Boston pilot
was rowing his little sklff leisurely
along when he was suddenly aroused
from his seat by thrust from below
by swordfish. which drove its sword
more than three feet through the bot
tom Of the boat. With rare presence
OF mind the man struck the sword
with the butt end OF an oar and broke
1t off close to the bottom OF the boat
before the fish could withdraw It.
Whether or not this talo Is true. it
would appear that 1t is usually i'm
possible for a swordfish to withdraw
its weapon after having thus driven
it into vessel. Cases are ON record
OF the finding OF such swords broken
of in the sides Of craft which had been
pierced What the fishes which were
thus deprived OF their instruments OF
offense managed to do without them
can only be imagined.
11.o~< 1no. ,nk a1ovxx o., ~. ov,xy 900