The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-08-16
sUNFIsH WEIGHED A TON.
Captured OF the California Coast
with a Boat Hook.
From the Los Angeles Times.

From the Los Angeles Times.
Avalon, July 2L-As huge, throbbing
lump OF. fish flesh, estimated to weigh
nearly alton. and resembling an ele-
plant in all but shapes was fought to
its death in the chanael this morning
and hauled up ON the beach to amaze
the summer thousands.7cIt was a giant
sunffsh! e'fa org 2 sew
The capture of the creature consti-
tutes one of the most remarkable and
interesting events in island history.
a history which is crowded with ex-
traordinary piscatorial events. The
catch astounded pioneer fisherman and
summer newcomer alike, for no fish
anything like the one caught to-day
was ever seen in these waters before.
There have been vague traditions of
sunf1sh weighing half a ton having
been seen, but such reports have been
generally discredited. The fish taken
to-day eclipses the stored ones, and
establishes a new record.
To two women fishing enthusiasts
came the glory of the discovery of
the unique monster, and to a couple of
sturdy boatmen the fight to subjugate
it and the colossal task of getting the
prey ashore.
Mrs. A w. Barrett and Mrs. Mel
lie Hall Of Rochester, N. Y. were out
after Jewish with Skipper George
Farnsworth in the launch Nestella.
While gazing over the placid chan
mel about a mile off shore the two
women almost simultaneously discern
ed a great, black, wriggling mass on
the surface of the water about a thous-
and yards astern. 1t was whale-like
in size, but was black and rough, so
Farnsworth put his boat about for an
investigation. The mammoth sunfish
was approached as noiselessly as pos
sible, and closer views showed it to be
lazily lolling about in enjoyment of
the sun. Close approach was known
to be perilous counting of shipwreck,
but consultation of the trio showed
the women stogt hearted. 1t was de-
cided to engage and snare the monster
if possible. F'arnsworth armed himself
with his stoutest gaff hook. and full
steam was thrown on for a rush along
side.
When within reach Farnsworth
swung his gaff with all his might, and
the hook sank deep into the flesh of
the sleeping monster. Then began one
of the most terrific fish fights ever
heard of in this home of gamy sea
prey. The hook took a firm hold, the
pain awakening the sunfish and goad-
ing 1t to fury. The fish threw it's
hugs form about, pulling and beating
in its struggle to get free from the
painful hook. Its big fms and tail
dashed the water to foam and re-
peatedly drenched the trio from head
to foot. The little launch rocked and
plunged, several times careening over
to the danger point. Farnsworth
braced his feet, clenched his teeth and
just held on. The women offered him
such assistance as they could.
For a mortal hour this exciting COM
bat. continued. Then help came to
the drenched and tired trio. From a
distance Harry Elnns saw that a bat
tie extraordinary was on and hurried
to the scene in his launch. Films sunk
his gaff into the wounded fish and by
taking turns they held on until it had
fought itself into complete exhaustion.
It was one hour and forty minutes aft
er Films arrived that the sunfish
stopped fighting, which made il close
to three hours from the time it was
first gated untilit was conquered.
The task of bringing the catch to
shore was then begun and 1t proved a
difficult and tiresome one. 1t was i'm
possible to get 1t aboard, so rope
was made fast and it was towed to
the beach in the bay. 1t took a score
Of strong men to drag IL ashore, and
although the appliances for handling
big fish are ample the creature was
too big for them all. No scales could
weigh II, but conservative estimates
place II between 1900 and 1900 pounds.
In Avalon the capture created a SEN
sation greater than would the cap
ture Of a whale. The whole population
turned out 10 view the unique speci-
men, and hundreds Of photographs
We're made Of II. After being drawn
up 70 one Of the racks the great mass
Of fish quivered with life for a long
time.