Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-09-27
A SWOR0FlsH KILLS A WHALE.
The Fight Seen by Many Spectators at the
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Visitors to Monterey were entertained
recently by the sight OF duel between an
immense whale and a swofdfsh, which
ended fatally for the larger but
more detenceless monster of the
deep. The whale was first seen by
party of bathers one pleasant after
noon last week, and appeared to be enioy-
ing himself by lazily swimming about tho
bay and occasionally sending shower of
spray alott like that thrown up by power
tul fountain. The presence Of the whale
or some other cause seemed TO frightcu
the small fish that abound IN these waters,
and great schools pressed closely inshore,
the water in places near tue beach being
fairly alive with them, while the surface
was kept agitated by their leaping into
the air as though seeking TO escape from
some invisible enemy.
The whale followed the schools of fish
lnshore, when suddenly there was ire
mendous spiashing of the water. the great
mammal was observed 10 move hurriedly
hltheT and thither, while the contortions
OF MS BODY ana his strange actions con-
WINGED the observers that he was engaged
IN deadly combat with some other monster
OF the deep. II was singular duel, and
II lasted for some time. Nothing but the
wnaie was visible. his enemy never coming
TO the surface or within range of those
VINO were watching the scene.
FINALLY the thrasbing ceased, the water
became calm, and then the whale was seen
lying motonless upon the surface of the
bay as II dead. This continued for some
time, but after about an hour he seemed
to revive, and after lashing the water for
some time with his tail he headed for the
outer bay, where he was subsequently
seen by the aid of a glass to have resumed
his mottonless condition.
The following morning several persons
searched the beach to see If they could find
any trace of the previous days combat, and
they were rewarded by discovering the
dead body of the whale high and dry on
the rocks, only short distance from
Monterey. Some old whslers who were
among the party Of discovery were
struck with the peculiar manner in which
the mammal was lying. The body was
considerably above low-water mark and
the inns were extended, giving the impress
sion that the whale had come ashore him.
self aud afterwards died. 10 appears, &C
cording to the testimony of those yersed
IN such matters, that a whale dying ia me
water has his fms close to his sides, and
the position IN which they were found
lends color TO the belief that the monster
was still alive when 1t came ashore.
An examination of the body revealed the
existence OF several wounds on the under
side, which were Of o character such as
could only have been inflicted by q sword
tlsh and are conclusive proof that II was
duel between these two denizens OF the
deep that had been witnessed tho previous
afternoon.
The carcass measured IS feet IN length,
and the blubber was removed and tried
out. For several days the stranded whale
was the centre of attraction for the entire
country round ABOUT, and many hundreds
OF residents and tourists visited it.