ANOTHER GREAT SEA MONSTER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9208, 9 October 1891, Page 2

ANOTHER GREAT SEA MONSTER.

MORE THAN 70 FEET LONG. Captain Palleson, of the schooner Gloncairn, which arrived at Thames from Timaru on Tuesday last, reports having met with a monster of the deep on September 14 when about 30 miles south southwest of Portland Island. In length it was longer than the vessel, which is botwoon 60 and 70 Crom end of bowsprit to stern, whilst its body was of a slate color and as large as a whale. Its head resembled very muoh that of an alligator, whilst on its back were two fins, which were about 20 feot apart, about six inches in height, and two feet in depth. From the hinder fin the body of the monslor gradually tapered off, but tho oxtrcmo end of its tail was novcr visibl'. Captain Pallcson saya it kept tho vessel company for about 15 minutes, during which time it sovoral timos dived under tho vessel and camo up on t.io other side. When diving it blew like a porpoiso, but never spurted wiitor, neither did it lash the water with its tail when diving. At rirst sight thought it was tho much-talkod-ofl; sea serpent, but v cloho inspection proved to him that it would bo impossible for tho monster to raise its head abovo tho water as tho sea serpont ia said to do, consequently lie Mirmiscs it was a member of the whale family It would have been an easy matter to have harpooned it, but its sizoand apparent strength prevented any such extreme measures being taken for fear of injury resulting to the vessel.