WHALING IN COOK STRAIT.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13661, 1 September 1916, Page 4

WHALING IN COOK STRAIT.

A VALUABLE' CATCH,

Great excitement was occasioned last Wednesday morning when Ithc forked spout of a right whale was sighted in tiie Strait (says the Te Awniro correspondent of tlie Marlborough Express), The Balina got away first, and the Orescent followed. The Cachalot gave her starting signal and hurried after, passed the other boats as'if they were si a ading still, and was soon crashing through the'seas at the Heads. The rival party happened to be at Te Awaite. "A whale A whale, boys!" and Sill hands quickly boarded' the launches. The Peerless was soon away; the Sussex, with her rhy'limic hum, shot pfivt, and going "full out," soon left the Crescent and the Balina in the rear, and was away through the breakers in hot pursuit of the Cachalot., In one charge the Sussex gained the van(age first, bill, contrary lo expectations, I lie whale did not rise the second time. Whales generally spout, round off, and rise again a few -moments later, If a' boat is 100 bile for the first rise, there is often a chance on the second. , • Croat was the excitement. The huge form rose, Ihe fountains of spray shot up, branched, and fell—the boats charged. The Orescent was in Ihe lend. The whale subsided and rose again. The gunner was aboul to lire when the Cachalot cm I in, fired, and made fast. To make doubly sure, the Balina put an iron in as well,' After the killing, Ihe whale was lowed lo (he Neck to, wail for the Hood time, About four o'clock, at tlie turn of the tide, the prize, accompanied with much cheering from onlookers and crew, was toweil lo the works.

'I lump-backs have been coming along more freely this week. Three days riming Perauo's launches towed one in. Forty-one is now the total—thirty-three hump-backs and one right whale for Pcrano, and seven hump-backs for Baldick.