New-York tribune., 1895-08-17
THE SOLDIERS BATTLE NTH A SHARK
THEY CAPTURE THE BRUTE AFTER HARD FIGHT
AND SHOW HIS BODY As TROPHY.

THEY CAPTURE THE BRUTE AFTER HARD FIGHT
AND SHOW HIS BODY As TROPHY.
Few sea-serpent stories have created as much ex-
ctement L,ng Island did the catching OF
huge man-eating shark Thursday by several
members of the United States Engineer Corps at
Willet's Point. rhe shark was captured about
noon. and the Government boat has been busy ever
since carrying the people to 1t. The little
craft runs between Whitestone Landing and Wiets
Point.
Sergeant Cavanagh about noon on Thursday was
aroused by a tow-headed urchin shouting In his
ear that the sea serpent had got into Little Neck
Bay. and had made an onslaught on the nets which
the engineers had set In the waters to supply the
garrison with fresh FISH. As Sergeant Cavanagh
has charge OF the nets. he hurried down to the
beach. and great commotion In the water
near his nets The poles 10 which the nets were
fastened were bobbing backward and forward. and
miniature waterspouts were being thrown up con-
tnuously.
The sergeant learned that his assistants, Privat ties
George and Blame. had first discovered the monster
which was playing such havoc with the nets. They
had gone out 20 the nets usual in a smallboat
to get the nsh in them out had returned In hurry
OF they not afraid. but thought II bet
ter 10 wait until low tide just what the cause
OF the strange disturbance was.
Sergeant Cavanagh at any rate. was not afraid.
and then his reputation was at stake He got out
his boat. and calling out the reserves he started
geant John Sutton. and following in the boats
wake another boat with four prlvates in H.
wives of the soldiers watched them from the shore
AS the Sergeant and his comrades reached the SIDE
OF the they within the Enclosure huse
dark body. shooting from one side to ne other
it appeared be making no effort 10 escape, Dut
acted Il its sole object was 10 destroy al the
fish in the net The wanton destruction OF the ilsn
aroused the OF the Sergeant, and ne determined
TO do battle with the monster at all costs. An
other boat had arrived this time, In which was
seated Private Albert Rieger. -,
why, It's man-eating shark shouted hleseT.
Don't you his fns?'
With that Rieeer pulled out his revolver and
going TO the net. began TO bang away lie says
he hit the shark with every ball but that the
shots had no effect whatever After he had fired
few shots the shark charged on the boat WIN ms
great mouth wide open, and Rieser quickly ro"ed
out of danger.
Then Sergeant Cavanagh Formulated a plan 10
make concerted attack on the shark he got
out long rope. and In one end or X mace wha'
the engineers at Willets Poini eau t9rpea9
renewed the attack on the SHARK Ihey attacked
the monster from ali sides and after many az
tempts Sergeau: Cavanagh succeeded IN Iass'ng
the shark Just between the Ans. The shark no
sooner felt the rope about him than ne started on
great rate pulling Sergeant Cavanagh ana
Help here, Help" shouted the Sergeant. and
the othe- boats wen. 10 fs assistance as quickly
as possible The soldiers grasped the rope to
which Sergeant Cavanaga was chngins ana thcn
the real fun began The shark rushed TO ana fro
through the waters OF Tie bay. pulling The men
and boats after him Then he would changc ms
tactics and charge the boats. only to NEE. fusil-
three hours the battle wagec. and hnally me
shark driven exhausted upor the beach Even
then he was not conquered and threw the sand up
in all directions with his powerful tail. He also
bit OF the end of which was thrust be
tween his vice-llke jaws. His struggles began TO
grow weaker however. and his spirit soon aiter
big Ash was exactly seven feet and four inches in
length and had body as big as cows