WHALE STRIKES CUTTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21160, 18 April 1932, Page 11

WHALE STRIKES CUTTER.

INCIDENT IN FIJI WATERS.

CREWS VERY NARROW ESCAPE. [from our own correspondent.] SUVA, April 10. When the huge body of a whale rose suddenly out of the sea in front of the auxiliary cutter Samtion, the Fiji captain and his crew did not pause long to rub their eyes in doubt. Aware that such things as whales exist in the tropics the native captain put the helm hard over and wasted very little time in the act. The Samtion, which is owned by Messrs. Jang Hing Loong Company, Limited, had left the island of Kadavu for Suva on Wednesday, April 6, and had not proceeded very far on the way across to Suva when a startled cry from one of the crew drew attention to the bow of the vessel. The whale, which had evidently just come to the surface, lay directly ahead. It was well that the captain acted with the promptitude that he did, stated members of the crew later. The cutter swung sharply to starboard, but even then there was little to spare as the cutter slid past the huge bulk.

The alarm felt; on board was evidently shared by the whale which, no doubt, was considerably startled by the sudden appearance of the cutter. It flicked its tail twice as it sounded, and the end of it came down with heavy thuds on some banana cases packed near the rail of the cutter. All hands were greatly relieved when the whale disappeared in a swirl of water.