The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-17
GRAY AND TEN FATHOMS LONG
1T LAY VERY QUIET ~ THE SEA
AND DID THE BARK NO HARM.

Troop Jaw just south Of the equator on
Feb. 4mRy never DO known. The big four
master flying the British ensign from her
jiggeT, anchored on Clifton. Staten Island,
at noon yesterday after a voyage Of 1888
days from Kobe, Japan. The captain, D. W.
Corning who lives in Manhattan, went
ashore In the doctors boat and fed for
home, stopping only to say something or
other about that which was sixty feet long
and had q seagull perched on Its back.
He left the first officer, j. W. Grant. In COM
mand Of the bark, which lay yesterday
afternoon in perfect calm, surrounded
by a haze OF romance.
The mato was doing in his bunk.
Bearded Scandinavians polished the lee
scuppers. Lively little Japs secured the
imported helm. lnquirers as to what was
seen below the equator came aboard at the
peril Of their lives, for the Troop sat 30 high
in the water that she showed two feet OF
red belly band and boarders had to jump
for the ladder.
That's on account Of our cargo, said the
second mate. Were loaded with Japan
csc mating, dolls and paper lanterns, We
wouldn't ride much higher II we had the
hold full Of inflated balloons
But the sea serpent2' he was asked.
1t was In latitude IS south, longitude
"a east he began, as one would sing
song. I'VE were running along with all
the canvas spread, for the wind was light,
when some Of the crew deserted this crea-
ure, whom hesitate to desoTibe. Judging
by the size Of the ship, 1t must have been
ten fathoms long
with a long beard interjected the
bos'n,
Il win not commit myself to that detail
said the second mate. Neither do j con-
slider Il essenti al TO the narrative. Suffice
to say that the sight was at once interesting
and impressive
He bane dead long time remarked
Ole Hansen, the hemsman bold.
He means the snake. not me, said the
mate, ALPHABETICALLY At the same time,
whether or not the creature bad given up
the ghost Ia a moot question, My personal
belief IL that it was alive, but dormant,
and ready TO dcvouT intruders. It's color
was light gray, which. as / understand,
Is the spring fashion, With notifies
Tried eat vlcssel. remarked the Japa-
nese steward. in the tone OF one who tries
10 give information without exciting.
Not exactly that corrected the second
mate" II cannot 10 said that such was tbs
reptiles attitude toward Va. II did not
threaten, but seemed waiting for an attack.
We were quite concliatory."
Il passed il down a pint Of beer. said
the bos'n. which it drank with evident
relish"
sMr. Googin sometimes exaggerates, ex-
planned the second mate, but will admit
that the serpent looked as though II was
in need Of nourishment.' '.5
What Is there TO be said concerning the
attendant sea gull?' was inquired. $3.50,
Bird blild nest on top snake, said the
ever obliging steward.
tut. tut. cried the second mate. Care
full witnesses report that the gull had dug
a hole In the 6erpents back and IL may
have intended there TO construct its home
and rear its young. Such things, however,
are mere deduction. II the gull did as
has been stated then instinct must have
shown IL that the serpent was creature
which never leaves the surface of the water.
mo. il had no horns that we could see,
but It's ears were extraordinarily long
and were covered with pink fur Of the finest
texture. It's back, which was remarkably
sembled nickel, glistened beneath the Gerce
sun Of the tropics"
-Its-tail?' C1his breathlessly.)
sUnduated, said the mate,- and when
/ recall that fact | must dismiss the sus-
picion Of our Scandinavian friend that the
beast was dead. The tail gently but firmly
undulated.'
aDid il lash the sea into fury2'
Much as | would like to recount that II
did, said the mate sadly Il cannot diverge
one iota from the truth The sea was
like oil and only the most gentle ripples
were in the wake Of the object Of our atten-
ton. We sailed away from II with much
regret and as we dipped our colors In recog-
milton of it's great size and dignity II rs-
sponded with three distinct mods Of it's
hoTTid head
This was a matter about which the first
officer had to be seen, painful though il
was TO disturb his slumbeT. Mr.. Grant Is a
Nova Scotian Of years Of experience.
we sailed from Kobe on Oct IS he
said Eve had been there three months,
but we saw very little Of war preparations
AS regards the sea serpent
Il guess the japanese went away to the
war during the night, said Mr.. Grant. we
heard that that was their habit. We had
fine weather all the way through the Chinese
Sea, the Indian Ocean and even around the
Cape Of Good Hope
was it really sixty feet long?'
"Shius usually stop at st. Helena to get
fresh vegetables, said the first mate firmly.
-but on this trip we passed the island IN
the night. That's how we happened to
come through without stop
How do you account for the seagllllsY'
sOnly once did We hear news Of the world,
said Mr.. Grant. THAT was when We passed
the Ooeano, bound out from South Africa,
Just east OF the Cape She sinalled that
that the Baltic feet was at MAZDA gascar."
Gould the "a ilors have been deceived
about this reptile?'
"You see, until this afternoon We never
knew that Col. RoOa~ welt had been elected
President and that Port Arthur had fallen
II wasn't such very long voyage at that
I've been out 1853 days, from the Gulf OF
California to England.
DO YOU believe there are such animnls?"
we never caught fish all the way"
replied the first officer. 1t il customary
for strange birds to fly into the rigging
but we saw nothing but a few albatrossos
Was the bark in motion when this ser
pent was sighted
You know" said tho first officer that
We would have made better time except
for the harnaces. There are enough
oysters and clans on the bottom Of this
ship to start six saloons. Well have TO
get soraped before we leave port
Did you ever see a sea serpent before?'
was asked.
L suppose there'll be a big parade to-
morrow, responded Mr.. Grant, heartily.
Il think I'll 60 ashore and have look at
Sir said the bo's'n's mate, looking in
we have paid out forty-hve fathoms Of
anchor chain, the decks are scrubbed and
the sheets taut,'
-Oh, very WE'LL said the first officer
stroking his fine Whisker
once and for all, Dir. Grant what do
you know OF the sea serpent reported at
Ship News as having been observed by this
hark?'
Il do not find II in the log. said the first
Officer. Further as grog Is served In
medicinal quantities abroad this ship, l do
not undergtand il. However j do not be-