The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-06-24

formations which make the reef
such a magnificent place to go I'M
der.
A small barracuda cruiSed by
about ten feet from me. | nudged
Eddie underwater. that is the only
way you can attract divers at
tention. He bobbed up.
what is it. a shark" he said
taking the Snorkel partly out his
mouth.
mo a barracuda there"
BY the time we went under again
the barracuda had disappeared. He
cruised into view few minutes
later. He was, of course, between
the boat and me. l swan away and
forgot him, and my fears.
Shark Alloy!
Two men on a navy boat shout
ed.
There's the dorsal fin of a
shark"
They pointed about 10 yards a
way. Ed Gibson said:
Fine now | can get a shot"
A shark 40 yards away might
pick up the scent of the Jewish
and come tearing over to us.
decided that the better part of
valor was swimming over to the
nearby Navy boat while Ed Gibson
had his fun" with the shark, and
camera.
1 threw my flippers, mask and
snorkel to the men on the Navy
boat and they pulled me up over
the stern.
Il don't want to be in the way
and immobilize the men by asking
them to stay with me-" | painted.
Look what Al Bebout speared
right off here" they pointed to a
four foot barracuda in the chest.
Heavens you mean he was in
this water?" / gasped. Fortunately
| had Swum obliviouS to him and
his companions.
Finally Ed Gibson gave up look
ing for the shark.
Hes disappeared" he said in
a disappointed voice.
Then l can go back in the wat
er," l said.
The Long Swim
Ed Gibson wearing his camera
around his neck, and carrying his
gun escorted me back to the boat.
He carried the three fish on a rope.
1t was a long swim and we took
1t slow particularly over the coral
only foot under water which
would have given us nasty cuts
had we touched il.
The boat seemed awfully far.
felt thankful for my snorkel which
meant | could watch the depths,
and yet still breathe.
Suddenly a wave hit the top OF
the Snorkel and closed off the air.
l was a bit scared in the choppy
water, and didn't want to stop TO
learn how to adjust it perfectly
simple matter, l found out later.
carried the red Snorkel, fearing all
the time that barracuda or shark
would take a bite out of Ed or me
instead of the snapper and amber
jack he was towing.
Later he told me that barracu-
da won't go after dead fish. only
injured ones. Sharks will, however
Just as we were about 20 yards
from the boat, / looked as usual
all around me-, and there was a
three foot barracuda his black
spots and ugly mouth showing
clearly through the water. Rather
than brighten myself and get wind
ed by pointing il out to Ed, ! kept
going The boat was nearer and
only the fear Of sharks nipping
around the Jewish on the boat re-
manned.
With relief reached the boat,
took off my flippers threw them
up to Clint on deck, and climbed
up the ladder.
The day in the deep was over.
We headed back to Key West
Every man. woman and child on
boats We passed stared al our huge
Jewish, Some took pictures Of /,
as did Ed. and Clint Giese who is
professional photographer.
Back on land Sand Key looked
mighty far away. My fourth trip
out there had proved the most ex-
citing Ny fear Of barracuda is
getting less. but that Of sharks re-
mains the same
Out%eighlng those fears. how