The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-01-31
GET FEROC|OUS SHARK IN MEMORY OF TIE QUEEN.
JAPANESE CAPTURE RARE MAN
EATER.
Animal was Harpooned While in the
Act of Attacking Their Boat off
Koko Head.

wada and two other Japanese fisher
men had a narrow escape from a horri-
BILE death at an early hour yesterday
morning. But for the prompt presence
of mind displayed by Wada the en-
tire crowd would in all probability,
have been destroyed by ferocious
tiger shark. AS it was, the Tragedy was
averted by a skillful manipulation Of
the harpoon, and the shark was cap
tured by the fishermen Aside from the
fact of the men having been so near
death, additional interest is added to
the story from the fact that it is the
first time in many years that a tiger
or blue shark has been seen in these
waters.
The fishermen ventured beyond Ko-
ko Head Tuesday in their desire for a
larger catch than usual. Wada and
one of the other men were asleep about
day break when they were aroused by
the cries of the watchman. Jumping
up the men saw him pointing eXcitedly
off the port bow where the water was
being furiously churned up. Evidently
some big fish had been hooked. The
men began to haul on the line but as
the fish showed unusual gameness they
let loose and gave him his head. 1t
was evident that they had hooked a
shark so Wada seized the harpoon
and waited until the animal could be
. brought within striking distance.
But he had not reckoned upon the
real character of the fish and instead of
its being an ordinary shark it was the
famous tiger shark which is the terror
of the South Seas. Had Wada known
the particular species of the catch he
would have realized the danger which
threatened the boat. He would have
known that as soon as the fish espied
the craft it would make a straight rush
for the sampan and try to sink it.
n hp
but the instant they see boat they at
tack 1t, hoping to upset the vessel and
devour the occupants.
1t was not long however before the
peril of the men dawned upon them.
The shark must have detected their
presence for instead of running away
from the vessel he suddenly turned and
dashed toward the craft. Wada did
not perceive him until the animal was
within a few yards of the boat. The
peculiar blue color of the tiger shark
makes it difficult for the human eye
to distinguish him until he is near by
The cold glittering eyes of the anima
however can be seen for some distance
and it was these which first warned
Wada that the shark was sWooping tC
attack the boat. The fisherman did no
loose courage He waited until the
shark had come within ten yards of the
vessel Then he realized the danger
which threatened them. The lives OF
himself and his companions depended
upon striking the shark before it reach.
ed the vessel. With true aim he cast
the harpoon. 1t struck home for the
shark stopped within a few instants
and tried to make off from the boat
The men hauled him in, however, and
dispatched him after severe struggle
close to the bow of the craft.
The Japanese brought the animal in
to the harbor and sold him to the ia
panese market men who disposed of thu
flesh. Market Inspector Berndt secured
the head, back bone and Jaws of the
animal. The shark was six feet il
length which Is small compared will
the size which many of them attain II
the South Seas. Mr.. Berndt has pre-
served the back bone and jaws. The!
are different from those of the average
variety of sharks. The common sharks
have five rows of teeth which have
peculiar saw like, broad shape but thos,
of the tiger shark are stright like fang
of a dog. The teeth of the presen
catch are nearly two inches in length
in the front part of the jaw. The from
teeth are in four rows while the res
are in only three rows but the peculia
shape of the teeth render them ever
worse than those where a greater mum
Der is found.
AS soon as they learned of the cap
ture, Judge Wilcox and Henry Water
house expressed surprise over the pre-
sence of the famous tiger shark in Ha
waiian waters and made an offer t.
buy the jaws. Mr. Berndt declined t
dispose of the specimen however. Th
natives regard the tiger shark witt
special reverence. Judge Wilcox say
this is only the second time in his lif
that he has ever heard 80 a shark @
the tiger species being found in thes
waters.