EXTRAORDINARY ENCOUNTER WITH A WHALE.

Bruce Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 1735, 26 March 1886, Page 6

EXTRAORDINARY ENCOUNTER WITH A WHALE.

The Liverpool ship County of Clare, on her last voyage to Pernambuco, was instrumental in saving from a shocking death a boat's crew of Bix men belonging to the whaling vessel Mary E. Simmons. The men in question had an extraordinary encounter with a whale, and when picked up had been several days without food or water. It appears that the Mary E. Simmons was cruising for whales in the vicinity of Pernambuco. The boat's crew speared a large cow whale, which started off at a terrific pace, dragging the small boat at lightning speed through the water. Ten miles were quickly run in this manner, when the whale suddenly disappeared, coming up instantly beneath the small boat, which was partially capsized. The fish -went off, and the crew set about baling out the boat. Just afterwards night came on, and the boat got separated from the Mary E, Simmons. The boat drifted about all night, and next day a vessel was sighted, but she apparently did not observe the helpless men. Night succeeded day until the third day arrived, when two vessels were Been, but to the great despair of the poor fellows both craft proceeded on their course. By this time the men were in a terrible state for want of food and water. One of the men became delirious on the previous day and attempted to drown himself. He subsequently became raving mad, arid for his and their own safety the. crew had to lash him dqwn to the boat. On i the third day the Liverpool ship County of Clare hove in sight, and to the great delight of the men bore down jto them. The ship-wrecked people were in a half dead condition when i hoisted aboard, but under tho kind treatment of Captain M'Neil and his crew they recovered. They were all landed at Pernambuco by the rescuing vessel,