The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1904-12-17
FIGHT WITH Al WHALE.
Thrilling Encounter OF the Coast Of
Maine with an Infuriated
Leviathan,

AS a rule. whales 90 not venture below
the coast Of Nova Scotia, but occasion
ally one gets astray and makes a tour
Of the eastern coast, and he generally
comes to grief. A large, lone faback
was sighted off the coast Of Maine By a
whaling steamer, and of course prepare
tons were promptly made to capture
him.
A boat was lowered, and manned with
the captain, his mate and four sailors.
The captain, with a large, heavy whale
gun, il which was an explosive bomb
lance, took the bow Of the boat. while
the mate steered. Upon approaching
the whale, it was seen that he would be
an ugly customer to deal with, as he
showed no inclination to run, but kept
slowly milling around, evidently wait
ing to be attacked.
Then ensued some maneuyering, and
finally the captain fired, but the motion
Of the boat impaired the aim, and the
whale, although badly wounded, was
not hit IN vital part, says W. Alva.
who tells the story in Golden Days. Hs
made for the boat, and. passing under
it, struck it with his fukes. tossing it
quite 80 feet into the air with its crew.
throwing the men out. As the boat
descended the whale again struck 1t with
his tail and completely demolished it.
While the whale was destroying the
boat, the crew fortunately secured an
oar apiece and swan out of danger. On
board the steamer the mishap was seen.
Another boat was lowered, and the men
were picked up and taken on board.
much exhausted,
Nothing daGnted, everything was got
in readiness. Two guns were loaded,
each with an explosive lance, the cap
tain taking one and the mate the other,
and, taking their positions on the bow
of the steamer, word was given to go
ahead.
The whale, in the meantime, was
lying still among the debris OF the
wrecked boat, occasionally throwing its
flukes into the air. AS the ship neared
the monster, he left the wrecked boat
Z GSlAh 1A1S&lG LSA ALAG 1tCGlAC1y WILL Lie Efl~
dent intention Of striking her on the
port bow. By a quick turn of the rud-
der, the steamer cleared him by few
feet, but with no chance for a shot.
The whale then turned and again
made for the steamer, coming down
from the WindWard for about midships
of the vessel. Seeing that the whale
evidently intended to breach the vessel,
word was given to go ahead atfull speed.
AS the whale reared its huge body
into the air, the little steamer forged
ahead, and the whale fell into the water
with a terrible noise, and Just cleared
the steamers stern by a few feet When
the whale struck the water it made such
a heavy swell that the men were IN
able to stand On the deck.
Seeing that it was impossible to get
shot at heHleviatIan without great risk
to the steamer and crew, another plan
was resorted to. A large, strong water
cask, holding $50 gallons. was emptied
Of its contents and then bupged fig htly.
The steamer was once more headed
for the fighter, and as she approached
him he again came to the attack. TIE
cask was thrown overheard to attract
his attention, and the vessel retreated
70 a safe distance.
The shale Instantly went TOT the cask,
thrown II high IN the air with his
fulzes, assssseh was its strength and
buoyane damage was done to it.
After Sc al futile attempts to smash
the eask wig his nukes, he commenced
to swim slowly around it, occasionally
striking it sith his head and trying to
bite it, evidently forgetful of the ship
the captain and crew Of which. were
watching hisgVery movement closely.
Here was he captains chance, and
silently but Aslftly the little steamer
glidad up behind the whale. and before
he was aware u is approach be received
the contents oi both of the whale-guns.
The steamer Bheered off to a place of
safety, the whale swan about Ice yares,
and commenced do break and lash the
sea into foam i his frenzy and dying
struggles. After about five minutes
furry he commsaced to slowly mill
around. and finally, giving one last
breach into the ar, came down On his
side, dead.