The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-18

divers In FIorida waters Have Marrow Escapes
from the BIG Creatures.


KEY WEST, April li.-sharks nrc unusually
plentiful and daring among the reefs and keys
Of Florida this senson. The vast school OF blue.
fish, mullct, mackercl, and other fish that swarm
at this time OF tho year around the southern end
of the peninsula havo attracted untold thou
sands Of sharks from the warm waters OF tho
tropics, so that one may stand Mt any point
on tho beach and throw shells at the monsters
as they 10 racing nfter their prey. The spongers
and wrcckers have great trouble In consequence,
for their business compels them TO do moro or
less work beneath the surface.
Last week two wreckers wero out in a small
boat sounding for n Spanish schooner that had
founderod on the reefs of coral atoll near this
place. and while resting in their work they saw
n pilot fish approaching them followed by two
immense shnrks. Tho water was calm and still
and tho big blue fins could plainly be
seen. cutting the wator. Almost in u
moment tho foremost shark discovered
them, and, coming with n rush. struck tho
boat with such force as nearly to capsize 1t. The
| other fellow shot forward in q similar manner;
but, glancing TO one side, caught In its huge
| mouth the blade of one Of the weighted oars.
and ground of n large piece Us IL the tough wood
had been so much cork. This 1t swallowed
almost instantly; then describing a long. grnco'
full curve In tho water 1t turned about, and once
moro came charging down upon tho boat. Tho
| men stood ready to receive the second shock.
and the brute rushing with tho velocity Of an
arrow sprang clear above the surface, projecting
It's jaws over tho end Of the boat. which was
drawn down and swamped.
Having neither load nor ballast. the light craft
did not sink. but easily supported tho weight Of
the two men, who nevertheless fully realized the
One OF the wreckers, throwing his left arm
around the mast to steady himself. struck out.
ali his force. The blow feIl fair upon the snout
OF tho shark that had caused the boat TO swamp
ssSers pcn ;nrs.s , ,hS f Is,h to 1 shs depth s tS Ss
bone. Meanwhile the other wrecker had
all he SoulG do to u stand = off bo the
tween the Jaws Of the monster Just as it rushed
promptly seized the handspike in its powerful
grip, tore II from the mans hands and. rushing
frag 1ne9Is and en sw %HeSr; ft tRem, the ''"O'F INTO
Shark No. / was now rolling about on the sur
face a short distance away, apparently IN great
and scenting the blood, Immediately pounced
upon the wounded creature and tried to make a
ing scrap from the start. The sharks fought all
into foam. and gradually recedine from the boat.
There came at last q great spiashing and a ire
mb Stanps si nphssSsa Or fr %@ae sie bha ' TSe P t%o f mem
were rescued a short time later by one OF the
many small sailboats that arc continually dart
ing in and out of the keys.
Divers are more annoyed by sharks than are
any other class of marine workers in this lati.
tude. Out near Pelican shoal q diver who had
gone down to locate a wreck was nearly startled
out of his senses by n sight that suddenly pre-
scented itself. He. was feeling about the wreck
became detached and was solidly imbeddedi in
the sand and mud of the b)ttom-when he
CHANGED to look up and caught sight of a huge
shovel.nosc shark that was intently watching
him. Fortunately he was well acquainted
with the habits of these sea creatures,
and was certain that should he signal for a pull
up or attempt an ascent himself he would be q
gone diver. Tho diver was down in several
fathoms OF water, standing on n portion OF the
bottom that CHANGED to be more or less thick
with mud, and tho shark. slightly above. and
about twenty feet distant, inclined its huge
body downward and gazed intently at the man.
The diver stood perfectly motionless. observing
closely the lazy swing of the big fellows
tail, and thought out the situation as
rapidly AS he could. Then. with a slow, side
wise movement, he passed behind the, pilot
house. The shark eyed him narrowly. and. by a
that the diver was always kept in view. The
divers quick wit now came to his rescue. He
was standing in thick mud which had collected
about the wreck, and, suddenly dropping his
weights and. kicking the mud so that the
water was nearly black. he quickly. sprang TO
the other side, signalled madly for a pull
up, and was hauled into the boat more dead
than alive. Instantly the big shovel nose came
darling to tho surface. but Immediately dived
again and disappeared from view. 1t was a mar.
row escape. but the trick saved the divers life.