EXCITING WHALE HUNT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19721, 22 August 1927, Page 12

EXCITING WHALE HUNT.

MONSTER'S GREAT FIGHT.

BREAKING OF THE HARPOON

A SECOND ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS

Whalers at Twofold Bay, New South Wales, effected the capture of the first vv(iale of the season- last week. Early in the morning a "right" whale was oh served cruising leisurely off Boyd Town Bay. It was overtaken by Master Whaler George Davidson, who, with a hurriedly-organised crew, had gone in pursuit. v In a short period the whalers made fast with a harpoon. The whale, with the vvhaleboat •in tow, immediately turned back oq its course until off Whale Spit. Then, under repeated lash ings, it accelerated its speed and moved in widening circles round tho centre of Inner Bay. The whalers continued to use lances as frequently as possible and at times the spouting of the whale was tinged with blood Obviously distressed, the whale took an outward course through the harbour entrance. Then the harpoon broke and the whale became free. Desperate efforts were made by the whalers to fasten another harpoon, but for some hours the whale was moving into and around North Bay, and, sounding deeply, frustrated their attempts During the manoeuvres of attackers and attacked, which were watched by ex cited crowds, the whale made several at tempts to escape to sea, but those were checked by a cordon of launches. Harassed in this way, the whale re entered Inner Bay, working its way into Snug Cove. When oil the end of the wharf the whalers again made fast The stricken monster then forced its way out of the harbour, and, passing North Head, towed the pursuers eight miles along the coast, where it was killed and anchored