ATTACKED BY A SWORDFISH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 49, 26 February 1918, Page 4

ATTACKED BY A SWORDFISH

MOTOR-LAUNCH ' PENETRATED. • ' ' ' ■. . .. » EXPERIENCE OFF CAPE BRETT. . RUSSEBL, Feb. 24. The motor-launch Virginia, o\vn:dr by Mr "W. H. Hazard", was attacked' and damaged by a sword-fish off. Cape Brett. A party, consisting of Mr 'oazardi, Dr Pope and Mr-E. P. Andi-i •reas> of Sydney, /were on a fishingj". trip, on Wednesday afternoon. "When-, off Cape -Brett one of the party se- • cured with the rod a fish, ; which til-, tiihately proved to bea . swordfifelvproba'bly. .weighing between 3001b .and' 4001b. The fish, on being hooked 1 , made straight foT the launch,, broacftxed 1 at about 10yds away, and re-enter-ing the water rammed the .launch, the. "sword* penetrating 9in through the -lm kauri pianking. After a struggle the sword broke, and the fish, still on the rod, mad e for the sea. After being held for another five minutes or so line became eutangled and broke, andthe fish disappeared. The launch, was found: to -be leaking badly, and -the party had to put back to Russell iri quick time. The launch beached l .* for repairs. The piece of sword was. found inside the boat.. i This is stated .to be the first instance known in New Zealand where a swordfish has attacked l a Jo oat, and it adds a spice of 'interest and danger to the splendid fishing which m.%y be obtained all along 1 the northern, coast.