New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-23
BY w. II. BALLOU.

A n EXPEDITION under DR.. Louis
n Hussakof, curator of fishes Of
the American Museum, returned
some time ago from Florida waters,
bringing a collection Of giant ray
fishes, after exciting adventures with
the harpoon. Any one who has seen an
ordinary skate In our local surf can
form en immediate idea of the whole
ray family, certain members Of which
exceed ton in weight.
II had for some time been considered
essential 20 the interests Of the Mu-
scum that there should be placed on
exhibition specimens OF the largest
members OF the ray family. In conse-
quence, the expedition was organized.
with camp at Captiva Island, south of
Tampa, Fla. DR.. Hussakof was accom-
snied By ]. Bell. Museum taxidermist.
The matter OF capture was placed in
the hands Of Russell J. Coles, of Dan
Vile, Va. an expert harpooner Of sea
monsters and the inventor Of new
drug. or drag, by which they are imme-
diately brought 10 a standstill and pre-
vented from towing boats about for
hours at time. The crew was COM
posed of FIVE sailors, in charge OF Cap
tain Charles w. Willis. familiar with
the ms and out Of the waters OF the
east coast.
The new drug. which played the i'm
portant part in quick capture, and
which must be OF great use to scien-
lists hereafter, is mere y rather
large, heavy square of planks joined
together, with hole in the centre.
Through the hole pole is thrust, TO
which a tow rope is fastened. When
dropped overheard, the drug offers suf-
fcient resistance 20 stop a whale, or
perhaps even Il tugboat Half OF the
square sinks into the water, presenting
a vertical wall, which increases its re-
sistance in proportion as water is piled
up against il. Mr.. Coles thus describes
the effect:
I've ran down the coast about three
miles, looking for promising devil
fish local name for the manta). Soon
we saw what resembled the shadow OF
a cloud moving across the water quar-
ter of a mile distant. | recognized 1t at
once as big devilfsh, and headed the
boat 10 cut it off from deep water.
"Everythng was in readiness. with
the harpoon raised ! stood at the bow
of the boat AS the big fellow dashed
across, about eight feet under water,
drove the whale harpoon into II clear
70 the socket. At the same instant Cap.
tain Willis fastened him with a second
harpoon. Ny harpoon had mile OF
rope attached but the captains rope
was short and attached 70 the drug;
which he Immediately cast overheard
when he saw his hsrpoon was fast. Inc
monster started away at a swift gelt,
but must have been an astonlshed hsn
when the drug brought him up sharply
within a hundred feet-as soon, in fact,
as his speed piled q mountain OF water
against il. flabbergasted. he turned
and made directly FOR the boat.
81 then took up a heavy lance espe-
eiallv designed by me, 70 add finishing
touches 10 such FISH life as insists on
hattie. II he struck US We were done,
= | hit first IL was his funeral. AZ
eiobt feet distance | drove the lance
through his spine az the base OF the
neck. killing him instantly: The huge
hodv bumped against the boat Blood
pushed ou: of i, and dyed the water Tor
a hundred yards around H. II was me
first experiment on great hsh WIN
NV inyentions-the drug and space