New-York tribune., 1894-04-08
BIG WHALE CAPTURED.
rxc1r1NG CHASE AFTER THE MONSTER
OFF AMAGANSETT.
uARPooNED BY HARDY SAILORS AND TowED
ASHORE CROWDS FLOCK TO THE
BEACH AT THE CRY THERE
SHE BLOWS,

Al Amagansett. L. l.. anchored tight and fast
,,tb heavy lines from the shore is the carcass Of
q hfty-foot Right whale. The capture of the
,,bale has been the cause Of general rejoicing.
ond its harpoonng was accompanied by many
stirring incidents
Early yesterday morning the whale was
siphted by patroller on the beach spouting
With the old cry There she blows" he shouted
out the news. The usual signals. blowing OF
horns and firing Of shotguns. were given TO
signify the discovery of the animal.
The whaling crews east and west whose men,
hers have all served Their terms in northern or
southern whaling grounds, were soon hurrying
% the beach anu making rapid preparations to
lsunch their heavy whale boats. Line tubs. har-
moons and lances were hastily thrown in and hve
heats were pushed into the surf in almost as
many minutes. They were quickly manned, and
then began an exciting chase TO see whlcn would
have the honor and profit Of first making fast.
When the boats were half mile from shore
.ne whale sounded. churnng the water into
mass of foam as he disappeared beneath II. Two
r,,nutes later he came up TO blow again half
mile further out The boats were punched to the
,rest Of him. but were soon heading in his direc-
lion. the heavy oars fairly bending under 'he
great strain put upon them.
Again he sounded. but almost Immediately re-
.,n.ared once more the boats were pointed tow
ar1 him. and as he lay rolling on the water
-,sing and falling with the swell. they rapidly
o,rroached The whale boats. commanded by
Csntain Joseph Edwards. came up within throw
ing distance Of him. while the men in the others
iaS, an their oars Captain Edwards stood in the
hnw n his boat the harpoOn In his right hand,
tho line reaching behind him into the tub, free
snd clear He watched for his opportunity. and
-hen with all his strength, hurled the harpoon,
hurving il to the socket in the huge mass.
The men quickly backed away 10 escape the
,breshing tail and the monster dived ana started
on tine run Above him the water soon REDEEMED
from the blood pouring from the wounded mon
ser The iron had reached vital spot. and
IN a few minutes the whale was dead and sank
"a the length of the line. other boats. mean
while having made fast. 1t was not until
o'clock last evening that, after a long and weary
DAYS work the monster was tOwed ashore and
anchored safely His arrival was greeted with
the cheers Of the hundreds who had gathered on
the beach and were anxious witnesses OF the
chase and capture.
The whale when measured was found TO be
fftv feet in length. and the bones are covered
with an unusual depth Of blubber, showing that
he was in excellent condition. 1t will evidently
"try out in the opinion Of old whalemen, al
least fifty barrels Of oil. and may probably run
more" The whalebOne is seven feet long, and
with the oil will net when sold snug sum for
each one Of the captOrs.
So intent is the interest along shore over the
capture that the tosk Of cutting up and trying
out will not be begun until tomorrow morning,
so that visitors may have chance 10 see the
animal. A big crowd is expected. Last night
the victorious crew celebrated its victory.