EXCITING WHALE HUNT

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1930, Page 6

EXCITING WHALE HUNT

SYDNEY HARBOUR USIASE. THRILLS ON A LAUNCH. Sydney, August 14. All the thrills of a whaling expedition were crowded into a few hours on Sydney Harbour on Tuesday afternoon, when Mr. C. Messenger, a shark fisher, with a reporter and photographer, attacked a 40-foot monster. It was found very difficult to get close to the whale,- which would come to the surface every few minutes, and spout water 20ft. or 30ft. into thb air, at the same time emitting a dull roar. Eventually, off Point Piper, Mr. Messenger managed to land a harpoon. Stung to fury, the whale made off toward Bradley’s Head, but halfway across it suddenly dived and the harpoon was wrenched free. Once again Mr. Messenger effected a strike, but in a few minutes the whale played the same trick, and again disappeared. He drifted lazily toward Sirius Cove, but each time the boat got near striking distance he dived. Off the Mosman Bay wharf Mr. Messenger landed the third harpoon. As he did so the whale’s tail, which was about 10ft. wide, lashed the air, and sweeping across the launch smashed its wind screen and upper works. Mr. Messenger and the reporter were hurled to the bottom of the boat, but the photographer, who was poised on the bows, miraculously escaped. Mr. Messenger, who received a terrific blow on the back, was stunned. In a frantic endeavour to get clear of the monster a similar experience was shortly afterwards narrowly averted as the whale, lashing the water into foam about the launch, very nearly succeeded in capsizing it. Mr, Messenger then returned to the boatshed to effect repairs.

After cruising about for some time the whale passed under the Harbour Bridge, moved on to Benelong Point, and shortly afterwards he finally disappeared.