A "REAL" SEA SERPENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 208, 2 September 1899, Page 5 (Supplement)

A "REAL" SEA SERPENT.

ATTACKS A FISHING FLEET

The sea serpent made its appearance, recently iv the midst of Hie Kilbriinnan fishing fleet off the Scottish const (says a press correspondent). The fishermen were greatly alarmed, and set to work to bent off the monster with boathooks, oars.etc, in which they were ultimately successful. The serpent, however, struggled violently, and nearly capsized several skiffs. The fishermen agree in describing the serpent as .".0 feet long and 12 feet broad, with an enormous back tin, a propeller-shaped tail, an ugly head and hideous jaws.

The monster, it appears, was also seen by the crew of the Carradale skiff Cluran recently, and Campbeltown fishermen arriving home corroborated the statements of Alexander Galbraith, master of the skiff Puritan, as to tlie appearance of the monster, but had various theories as to its species. The press representative, in conversation with Galbraith and his crew at Carradale, Avas assured that the monster was twice the length of the skiff Puritan, or about CO feet, and from 12 feet to 15 feet broad. It followed the skiCf for fully 100 yards, thus affording ample opportunity for inspection, and was only about half a yard off the stern when Buchanan, one of the crew, attacked it with an oar. Tho monster then expanded its great fins, and turning tail swam off rapidly up the Sounn. The fishermen intend, if possible, to harpoon the leviathan if it again comes within range. . The excitement in connection with the appearance in the Sound of Kilbrnnnan of a marine monster popularly called a "sea serpent" had considerably abated owing to the fact that the herring fleet had not been out for a few days, and that no one had seen anything swimming in the water of an abnormal description. Herring there are in plenty, and, as usual, the shoal is followed by fish of prey of various species. One or two Avhales were in pursuit of tho finny tribe lately. These, however, did not attract more, than passing attention, as they are frequently observed during the fishing season. There is not the least reason to doubt that a party of Carradale fishermen encountered a creature of strange form and great size; but the question which remains to be settled is: What really Avas Its nature? Even those who were closest to it differ in their' accounts of its dimensions. While one man states that it was twice the length of his fishing skiff, or nearly CO feat, other witnesses say it was about the length of the boat.

Further corroboration of the presence in the Avaters of the estuary of an unusual denizen has been furnished by the captain of a Clyde steamer, who declares that he noticed the fin of what he called a "sail fish" above the waves. The fishermen of Kintyre, who discovered the "sea serpent," say that they have previously seen this peculiar fish, and explain that it assists its progress by raising its dorsal fin to catch the wind. Some of those with good memories narrate that they last saw such a fish many years ago; one stated the time at six, and others at 25 years. They all, however, recalled that the catch of herring on the 'occasion was exceptionally good, aud further concurred in saying that the present fishing is satisfactory for the season of the year.