EXCITING SPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19274, 12 March 1926, Page 12

EXCITING SPORT.

SWORDFISH LEAPS DINGHY. BREAKS AWAY WITH THE TRACE. MORE CAPTURES IN THE NORTH. [JIT TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] RUSSELL, Thursday. The thrilling nature of swordfishing was exemplified yesterday when the crew of the Auckland launch Alicia had a few very tense moments off Cape Brett. After being hooked a swcrdfish gave a fine display of broaching and leaping within 30yds. of the launch. It then turned suddenly, heading straight for the launch, and in its mad rush leaped right over the dinghy, missing the launch by a matter of inches. The line fouled the launch and the fish broke away. It reappeared some hundreds of yards off, making wild leaps and running on its tail in frantic endeavours to free itself of the steel trace. It was last seen heading north, the direction usually taken by a hooked swordfish. An incident of a swordfish leaping over the stern of a launch was reported quite recently, and the late Colonel Hazard had a similar experience several years ago, when the hull of- his vessel was pierced by a swordfish. Mr. S. Fisher, of Auckland, deserves praise for hooking a swordfish and landing it on an old-fashioned Nottingham wooden reel. .Ho had no swivel chair to sit in and no leather bucket round his waist, but merely an old piece of rope tied round his shoulders. Just as ho hooked the swordfish the engine stalled and they did not get it going until after they had landed the fish. It weighed 2341b. The following additional captures have been recorded: — Mr. Zane Grey, swordfish, 3201b.; mako, 2201b. ; launch Alma G. Mrs. Dunville, Ireland, swordfish, 2481b.; launch Speedwell. Mr. Frank Fowler, Wellington, swordfish, 3201b.; launch Twigg. Captain Broderick, London, mako, 2141b.; launch Doris. Dr. Barton, Sydney, swordfish, 3501b.; launch Ozone. Mr. W. J. Falkiner, Sydney, swordfish, 2241b. and 2261b.; launch Ozone. Mr. Kershaw, Wairarapa, mako, 2291b. ; launch Glad. Mr. Hoffman, Auckland, swordfish, 2581b.; launch Rosyth.