FIGHT WITH WHALE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20312, 21 January 1928, Page 17

FIGHT WITH WHALE.

KARACHI FISHERMEN’S ORDEAL. The crews of two small fishing smacks had an exciting experience in the Arabian Sea when a whale 30ft long became entangled in their net (states The Pioneer, Allahabad). The whale’s struggles to free itself only caused it to become more involved in the net, until its flippers wore lashed against its sides. Even then it was far from powerless, as was seen by the ordeal to which the fishermen were submitted. They decided to save their net and capture their prize at all cost, but four days and nights passed before they succeeded. During this time they had to fight strenuously and continuously with the monster, and were towed in the Arabian Sea for many miles. Often the boats were in peril in mid-ocean of being capsized by the whale's unceasing endeavours to escape. Fortunately, however, the sea was calm, and this helped the fishermen. At the end of the four days, when their food supplies had given out and they were suffering terribly from the effects of exposure to the sun, they were despairing of success, and had decided to abandon their capture, when they sighted Clifton, which is near Karachi. Upon this they renewed their efforts, and managed to draw the whale towards the shore. AA'hen close enough they signalled for help. About a dozen fishing smacks promptly went to their assistance, and all the boats then helped to drag the fish into Karachi Harbour. An attempt was then made to beach the monster, but this task occupied 80 men for a whole day, the whale’s frantic resistance churning the shallow sea into foam. AA’hcn landed the whale provided yet another surprise for its captors. It suddenly spouted out from its mouth, besides a large quantity of ash. a biscuit tin and a few yards of coconut matting. It was cut up for domestic and commercial purposes.