The Washington times., 1908-10-11
Well Trained Whale Is Sighted
BY TUo Passengers on Liner
Former Ambassador White and Young Spreckels VoUch
for Marvellous Fish Story-Big Fish Responds
to Whistle Signals, Then Departs.

NEW YORK, Oct. 10.-Take IT to your
self.
II you had been q passenger on the
kaisCTtn Auguste Victoria which has
just arrived here. and you had gone
on deck yesterday after luncheon. when
the ship was bowling along through a
smooth sea of Nantucket light. and
tie sun was shining bright. ami you
had begun TO speak Of what a fine vOy-
age it was, ard you should be inter
rupted by Andrew y. White, former
ambassador TO Germany, and c. A
SPTeCkels. son of the late Claus Spree
kels, declaring that they had Just seen
sperm whale headed straight for the
ship-collision appearing inevitable I'M
I'll a warning whistle was blown. when
the whale looked UP. answered by
spouting a stream OF water, and veered
o6-NOuld you believe II?
That's Not All.
But that's no. ali Mr.. White and Mr..
Spreckels went into details that would
interest Mark Twaln-who goes some
when II comes 20 narrating unusual
tales Of the sea. This White-Sprecke's
whale. was no ordinary fellow. even OF
its kind. He-if il was q ''he"-was
lions and rules Of the road at sea 10
exchange more than one signal with
the ship-answe-ing the whistle correct
ly and without hesitation. which is
more than the masters Of a good many
motor boats can do. despite all the
prodding by tho Government inspectors.
It adds to the beauty OF the tale TO
know that MI White and Mr.. Spreckels
-, on
Il happened, though some Of the sailors
corroborated the story after they had
heard 1t told and noted who told II. The
whale then was headed for the liner and
steering a straight course. He was SO
big that then and there it was estimat-
ed he would yield 80 barrels of oil
The cOuse of the vessel was not
changed. but the officer on the bridge
blew one long blast of the whistle. This
meant that the ship would pass the
other to starboard-or keep to the right
If the whale was a ship there would be
an answering blast, and they would
pass each other safely. To the surprise
Of the two passengers who watched. the
whale blew a long single column Of
water upward. then swung gracefully
to the right. just as any steamship
LLlABuL nave uOue-
As the monster swung by the liner
the officer on deck. following the i'm
pulse of the moment. sounded three
blasts on the whistle, which was a sa-
lutte and the usual courtesy. In a mo-
ment the whale sent three streams Of
water into the air in quick succession.
showing that he understood and replied.
Then, looking back and seeing Mr..
White watching him. he Tipped HIS tail
three times in farewell.
That's the story Mr.. White and Mr..
Spreckels told the other passengers, all
Of whom were below at luncheon when
the incident occurred. The passengers
told X at the pier today. and said it was
so very, very unfortunate there was no
one else to see except some humble
members Of the crew, who seemed awe
struck. and acted strangely when Ques-
toned.
SidestepS Questions.
Mr. White lodged questions about the
whale on arrival. He said he had re
turned from Europe early in order to
register and vote for his nephew. who is
the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant
governor.
Major Von Livonius, German military
attache at Washington, was among the
passengers who didn't see the whale.