A PLAYFUL WHALE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13103, 17 June 1913, Page 9

A PLAYFUL WHALE.

Two men named Newton and Scott, well-known fishermen, of Watson's Bay, had an exciting experience while fishing outside Sydney Heads a few days ago, says the Morning Herald. At about I o'clock m the afternoon they were about a mile outside, when they noticed a big humpback whale spouting not far away from them. At first they took no notice of. the monster, and continued fishing. Later on, however, the whale appeared to be attracted by the boat, and came close up to it. They made as much noise as they could, and endeavored to frighten it away. The big humpback disappeared for a while, only to rise still closer to the boat. The fishermen again attempted to frighten it away, but without effect. At last the whale got so close that the men decided to pull the boat to safety. To their dismay the whale commenced to pursue the boat. Although the two men. pulled as hard as they could m the direction of the signal station at South Head, the monster easily overtook them, and clashed by perilously close to the boat, spouting as it went. Fortunately, the occupants of the boat managed to get close to the cliffs before any damage had been done, and the whale, having apparently satisfied its .curiosity, .and not desiring to go any nearer to the shore, turned off towards North Head. Just before they landed the men noticed the whale spouting about two or three miles away, and making north.