Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-06-16
HARPOONlNG SWORDFlSH.
How the Terrible Ocean Monsters Ar
Taken.


swordfish, when swimming near
the surface, usually allows its dorsal fin
md portion of its tail to project out of
water. 1t is this habit which enables
the fishermen to tell when the game is
present. The creature moves slowly
under ordinary conditions, and the fish
ing schooner with a light breeze finds
no difficulty in overtaking it.
When alarmed, however, it exhibits
enormous strength and agility. Some
times it seems to leap entirely out of
water. It's long, 1.-THE, muscular body,
with fins snugly fitting into grooves, is
admirably adapted for the most rapid
movement through the water. Prof.
Richard Owen, testifying in an English
court respecting its powers, said:
"The swordfish at full speed strikes
with the accumulated force Of fifteen
hammers swung with both hands. It's
velocity is equal to that of a swivel shot,
and the shock is as dangerous in its
effects as that of a heavy artillery pro
jectile."
lnt bMOTulSl IlGNtI COintS w ullC SUIT
face except in moderate weather, ac-
cording to Dr. G.. Brown Goode. A YES
sci pursuing them has always a man
stationed at the masthead, where, 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 sort of pulpit" so
called, at the end of the bowsprit armed
with harpoon which has a detachable
head lie holds pole which forms the
handle of the weapon with both hands,
directing the man at the wheel by voice
and gesture how to steer
There is no difficulty in approaching
the intended victims with a vessel of
some size, although, curiously enough
they will not suffer small boat to come
near them.
Although there would be no difficulty
| in bringing the end of the bowsprit di-
rectly over the fish, a slsillful harpooner
never waits for this. When the prey is
from six to ten feet in front of the YES
sci it is struck.
The harpoon is never thrown, 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 al
lowed to run out, the rope being re-
tanned in the hand. As soon as the pole
has run as far as the stricken creature
will carry it, the line is passed into the
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 the
whale lance struck into the gills. Then
it is lifted upon the deck of the vessel
with tackle,
| The pursuit of the sword-fish is much
more exciting than ordinary fishing, re-
sembling, as it does, the hunting of
large animals upon land, and partalSing
more of the nature of the chase. There
is no slow and careful batting and pa
tient waiting in this pursuit.
The game is seen and followed, out
witted by wary tactics and killed by
skill and strength of arm. There is al
ways danger from so formidable an
antagonist. Not only is the vessel more
or less likely to be attacked by the in
furiated animal, but there is some peril
to the fishermen themselves. lN
Sometimes their boat is thrust through
with the sword, which is most tre-
mendous weapon, and on occasions per-
sons have been killed in the water by
the angry prey. However, this only
renders more interesting the sport,
which is said to be one of the most fas-
cinating in the world.
Old fishermen engaged in it as bust
ness have been known to fish for sword.
fish all night in their dreams, bruising
their hands and SHINING their knuckles
against the top of their berths while
spcaring the imaginary monsters.-Min.
neapolis Times.