The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-01-27
miscellaneous.
CHASING SWORDFISH.

nsh upon boats ana even vessels are
numerous as well ac curious. Old
fishermen say that a temporary insan-
lty sometimes appears to seize these
creatures. While under the influence
OF ii they will make entirely unpro-
voked assaults upon crafts Of consider
able size. 1t is not surprising that
when harpooned they should retaliate
by attacking their assailants.
Quite commonly they resort to the
otfens &c under such circumstances, so
that the pursuing eloop or schooner is
often obliged to run into harbor, leak
ing and almost sinking
A sVordtish, when swimming near
the surface, usually allows lts d,rsal
fin ard n portion of its tail to project
out of water. 1t ia 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 i'll overtak-
ing it.
When alarmed, however, il exhibits
enormous strength and agility. Some
times it seems to leap entirely out Of
the water. Its long, 1.-the. muscular
body with fins snugly fitting into
grooves. is admirably adapted for the
most rapid movement.
The swOrdish never come to the
surface except in moderate weather.
y vessel pursuing them has always
mali stationed at the masthead, where,
with The keen eye which practice has
given him, he can easily descry the
tell-tale black fins at distance of
two or three miles.
When the prey is sighted the watch
gives shout and the craft is steered
III the direction indicated. The skip
per takes his place in sort of pull
pit, so-cailed, at the end of the bow
spirit, armed with harpoon which
has a detachable head He holds the
pole which forms the handle of the
weapon with both hands. directing the
man at the wheel byvOice and gesture
how to steer.
There is no difficulty III approach |
ing the intended victims with IL vessel
of some size. although curiousIv
enough they will NOT suffer n small
boat to come near them. Although
there would be no difficulty in bring
ing the end of the bOwsprit directly
over the fish IL sl<iilful harDoonist !
never waits for this. When the prev
is from six to ten feet in front of the /
vessel it is struck. The harDOOn is ,
never thrown, the pole being long
enough to enable III" expert 10 punch .
the dart into the back of the animal /.
close to the back fin. when he dart 4.
ha. thus been fastened to the fish. the |
line attached to ii is allowed 10 run /
out, the pole being retained in the |
hand. As soon as the rome has run /
~ far as the stricken creature will /,
carry it. the line is passed into a small .
boat which is towing at the stern.
Two men jump into the boat and /
pull upon the Inc until the fish is |,
brought alongsiG when it is killed /.
with q whale lance stuck into the gillS. I
Then it is lifted upon the deck of the /.
vessel with tackle.
The pursuit OF the sworlfsh is much /,
more exciting than ordinary fishing,
resembling, as it does, the hunting of |
large animals upon land, and partak- I
Ing more OF the nature of the chase. !
There is no SLOW and careful batting /
and patient waiting in this pursuit
The game is seen and followed, out !
witt"l by wary tactics and Killed by /
skill and strength Of arm. There is f.
elwa. danger from so Formidable an !
antagonist. Not only is the vessel |
more or less likely TO he attacked by
the Infatuated animal, but there is /.
some peril to the fishermen them !
selves.
Sometimes their boat is thrust /.
through with the sword. which is /
most tremendous weapon, and on oc- !
casions persons have been killed in .
the water by the angry pre-. How I
ever this only render, NOR" interest
ing the sport, which is said TO he one ,
81 the most fascinating in tha world. /,
Svordiish are Il terror TO schools OF .
mackeral, bluefsh, and other com .
paratively small fry. They rise |
among the prey. striking to right |
and left with their swords until they /
have killed number, which they !
thereupon proceed to devour Some ,
times they appear actually to throw !
the fish in the air, cutting them in .
two as they fall
Although hunting for swordfish is .
regarded as profitable pursuit on
the New England coast, employing ,
many vessels. it is not like TO bring
about any serious Gininution of the
game. one reason is because their
habits are solitary. 1t is said that
two are never seen swimming close to- .
gether.
Although Il number are apt to he /.
found in the same neighborhood, /,
wherever the food they seek is plenti-
full, they never ran in schools. Fur
thermore, they do not spawn in west
ern Atlantic waters.
Considerable quantities of sword +
fish are annually sailed i'll barrels AT .
New England ports. Being regarded
as delicacy, they are in demand in |
certain sections, particularly in the
Connecticut valley. where Il barrel /
full may he found i'll almost every
grocery store.
The fishermen have a theory to the
effect that the swordfish can see moth
ing directly in front of him. owing to
the peculiar way in which his eyes are
placed, and it is stated that these ami
mails are sometimes approached and
killed by hunters in SNilliuily man
aged small boats
The lecturer on thCosnphy has
cDnr''.,io.. 1T irierr j, any question:
ha said, that any OF yor would like
to al Ilc icluIo 81 Town. ! should |
b. pleased to answer ii. Anil the
Gecp silence that IO.DwrG this re-
marx. All earnest looking man near
the { OF rose up and said I'd like
to know, Professor, if anybody has |
ever Yet discovered IL reliable and |