Year: 1875

The Galveston Netcs of the 9Th says:
For long time whales have been known
to frequent the waters of the Gulf of MeXi-
co. In the southern portion, however,
whalers have sought these and with some
success. Last fall, it will be remembered,
a whaling vessel put into this port shortly
after the September gale, that vessel hav-
ing three whales on board at the time OF
the gale, but lost them in the storm. Few
instances are recorded, however, where
they have wandered so far up the gulf as
TO be seen in or near Galveston harbor.
The Oldest inhabitant remembers that
twenty-seven years ago whale nifty feet
in length was found on the west end of the
island dead. From the blubber was manu-
featured large quantity of oil, numbering
some forty barrels. Seven years ago
whale eighteen feet long was caught in
the bay, and this time also the blubber
was turned into oil. Another instance Is
whale in the vicinity of Galveston. The
report has been in circulation siDce Sunday
afternoon, and there remains doubtless
scarcely a child who has not heard the
story and related it again TO some other
child. OF course the yarns in relation 10
it have increa-ed with due proportion, and
it is not surprising that they vary and con-
tinue to grow large. While this is indeed
fish story of no ordinary nature, yet it
pertains to be genuine one, and the cor
rect version OF it, among so many that
seem incorrect, may be interesting. From
the parties who had the pleasure or dis
comfort of discovering this whale in Gal
weston channel, and who should know the
most about the matter. the following mar
rative comes: Early on Ine morning OF
the 4 h Captain Andrew Foster, of the
yacht Theresa, and party of excursion
lists were sailing on the bay. About 6
O'Clock, upon nearing Bolivar Point, they
saw a short distance from them an un-
common distur ance of the water and q
huge spouting and putting being carried
on. The paIt ty readily discovered that the
object before them was whale. He was
aground in shoal water, and being unable
to eXtricate himself was celebrating the
Fourth as best he could. The excursion
lists 1t once set about 10 capture his
whaleship, and having with them a
shotgun, fired several times at him with
slugs which they formed from the
| lead on their fishlines. Having somewhat
disabled the monster, and feeling assured
OF the safety of their prize, four men were
left in skiff to guard it, while the re-
mainder of the party returned 10 the city
TO procure ropes, harpOons, etc. The
picket guard were leisurely gazing upon
| the whale while he still persisted in spout
| ing and dashing high the water, when a
large sized sloOp approached. This was
commanded by Ed Brown and Jack Best.
This boat at first sailed by the men in the
skiff but suddenly turned its course and
approached. They had discovered the
whale and desired the booty. They were
warned that his pretended owners We're
already in keeping of the prize, but this
seen ed not to affect their course, which
was directed in line with the skIff. The
latter was struck and landed upon the op-
pOsite side of the whale. lt is fortunate
that the four men were not drowned, but
being good and active watermen, two OF
them held to the bottom of the sloOp, and
for a time the other two were on the whale


Soon, however, the men in the water each
got hoIS of the skiff and clung to it. They
were shortly surprised to see another YES
sci approach, an unknown schooner, and
Best. who nowreaimed the prize, went
| aboard of her and took the whale in tow
bv means of rope, which he had attach
ed to an old harpoOn, then in the body OF
the whale The latter was tOwed into
deep water, and it is said for time showed
himself master of the schooner, and sue


ceeded in carrying it for some distance


until near Hanna's Reef,when it was agaiI
aground. In the meantime the remaining
number of the first crew returned, fully
equipped to take charge of their first-dis
covered booty, but were much astonisheC


to learn of the course it had been com


PEELED to take. -


The party were of course much excited


and Immediately took kgal steps toward


regaining the whale. Their story OF tbs


capture OF a whale at once spread, aud yes


teffday numbers were visiting the wharves


expecting its arrival But they were dis


appointed, since it failed TO arrive. 1t wa


Reported also that the fish had made it


escape, and that it was not to be found


while others asserted that it was still OF
the reef. A schooner was seen bound ou
, Yesterday afternoon, and this was sup


posed to be going to those parts where tn


whale was last seen. The principal topi


on The streets is "whalel whale!" AM


doubtless it will continue to be +" whale


until he is brought into port and bolle'
s | "A