40FT OF SEA SERPENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 265, 18 November 1901, Page 3

40FT OF SEA SERPENT.

WITH A HEAR AS "RIG AS A RUGBY FOOTBALL.”

'The s>ci serpent, which, is is well-known, always comes up to breathe in the autumn, has just made its appearance_ in Chinese waters. Its actuality is certified to bv Mr Officer-in-Charge Wolfe, in charge of the armed revenue cutter Lungtsing, whose testimony is continued in writing bv the second officer and the whole of the Chinese crew. The serpent was sighted near the Chuk Chao Islands, twenty miles south-west of Hongkong, “ lving in a round coil, with its head raised 2ft. or 3ft. and slightly moving." With orders to kill the monster, if oossible. Mr Muster, second officer, was sent oil' in a gig. armed with —a boathook. Pluckv Mr Muster stood in the bow within •raised” boathook, but when he got with range the watchful serpent struck out. •hitting the blade of one of the oars and , :£uruiu<* the sailor turtle-back. "It then, says Mr Wolfe, “raised its head to a level of the launch's davit, at a distance of not more than 10ft from the gig and SOft from the launch, where I stood. The crew of the gig were scared, and prepared to jump overboard.' However, the serpent seems to have been equally seared, for it dived, and was seen no more, its action in swimming being ihat of an ordinary water snake. It is described as “from 49ft to 50ft long, and about a foot in diameter. It had a kind of crest on its head, and two fins high up on tho neck, just behind the jaws. The thickest part of its body appeared to be about loft from the head, tapering both ways. Its head was as big as a Rugby football, with large eyes, and mouth open wide when striking. It was of a very dark color on the back, striped and mottled, but lighter on the belly.” Not even the inducement of a loaded Nordenfeldt would bring the creature back to the gig for closer study of its poculiarities. In forwarding the story, Mr Ready, of the Chinese Customs, says Mr IVolfe has been in the service for nine vcars, is “ iQ every way to be believed'”