Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-23
Running DOWN WHALES.
Collisions Between Them and Ships of
Frequent Occurrence.

From the Scientific American.
The coast Of southern California is pro-
tected, to a certain extent by the islands
off shore. The group begins at Santa Bar
bara with San Miguel; then come Santa
Rosa. Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and farther
out TO sea. thirty miles, San Nicolas. The
next following south are Santa Barbara,
Santa Catalina, San Clement. and then
with a break Of seventy miles the Corona
does. These islands are almost parallel TO
the coast range and constitute virtually an
ort-to-sea coast range of mountains. which,
in all probability. We're thrust up at the
time the coast was formed. leaving a deep
depression between them and the mainland.
This region of extremely deep water is a
famous roadway for whales several kinds
being found here feeding upon the vast
schools of jelly fishes which are nearly al
ways present. The whale most common is
the California gray. which goes every year
to the shadows of the Gulf Of California to
give birth 10 rs young then moving north
along the California coast in what is vir-
tudlly a great procession. AT this time the
channel is the sporting ground for the huge
animals and nearly every steamer that
crosses sights a school, the scene forming
one of the attractions of the trip. as the
whales. far from being wild or timid. some
times eVince playful mood or, melted by
curiosity. come near the steamer affording
the passengers near view of the largest
of living animals.
This social disposition has resulted IN sew
eral encounters between the whales and
vessels, in which the former have always
come off second best. Some years ago a
steamer on the trip from San Pedro to San
Francisco struck some body. supposed at
first 70 be a log Several of the men were
thrown to the deck; the wheel turned over
SO violently that the helmsman was also
thrown down, and the steamer for the mo-
ment came 10 a standStill. All hands were
called. the pumps sounded. and as the mate
ran aft he saw a large whale flashing the
water aStern- The vessel had struck it di-
rectly back of the right paddle and evil
IDENTIFY crushed ii down, rising over il. This
whale drifted into Santa Catalina some
days later, and was towed into one of the
little bays of the coast, where 1t was cut
up by the fishermen.
During the summer of 1900 the steamer
Hermosa killed whale off San Pedro,
which was at least eighty feet in length.
The steamer was blowing along al a rate of
twelve miles an hour, when suddenly
large whale rose TO spout directly In front
of her. placing itself inadvertently across
her bows. so that the blow was struck
fairly. The shock created a sensation on
board, and the blow was so violent that
several people were thrown from their feet.
It was supposed that the vessel had struck
a sunken rock; she stopped for few sec
Onds. trembled, then rose about three feet.
heeling slightly. then resumed her course,
passing through mass of blood which coll
ored the water. showing that she had
plunged into some large animal. A dead
several days, on account Of it's size, II
drifted UP and down the coast with the tide
defying the efforts Of speculative fishermen
to secure x. Finally a heavy tossed 1t
on the coast at the resort Of Redondo,
where 1t was hauled in at high tide, and
when the latter went out IL left marvellous
spectacle of the remains of one of the larg-
est of living animals. Hundreds Of people
visited the spot before it was dismembered.
A long wound told the story of It's contact
with the steamer, which was wholly unin-
jured.
Doubtless II the records Of shipping dis
asters were examined many instances
would be found where vessels had crashed
into whales with results fatal to the ami
mails and more or less injurious 10 the YES
sells. In this connection a curious incident
may be related regarding the actions Of q
school Of whales at the Island of Santa
Rosa Cal. The channel between this island
Is narrow and often extremely rough, and
during a storm II was believed by those on
the island that the whales became democrat
ized. as they deliberately ran ashore and
the remarkable sight Of five or six large
whales helpless on the sands was observed.
Their bones remained for long time on
what became known as the whales grave
ward.