CAPTURE OF THE SEA-SERPENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 1763, 25 June 1877, Page 4

CAPTURE OF THE SEA-SERPENT.

The Qlasgov) News says : — The seaserpent story, always taming up m dull seasons, has come upon us at a most inopportune moment. At a time when public interest is engrossed with the Eastern Question, and Oban has been suffering from earthquake, the sea-serpent — between whose presence at Oban and the occurrence of the recent phenomena the prescient will no doubt draw their own inferences — has reared his crest to the height of the proverbial 25 feet above the waves, and drawn upon himself the fire of those enthusiasts who always perambulate the beach with loaded rifles. According to the remarkably circumstantial narrative which has been sent to this office, it is the last time that newspapers will be able to utilise the log-books of American whalers and the diaries of Chinese residents, for the sea-serpent has actually arrived on our shores. Many who read the story given below *'ill experience much regret that his progress has been arrested : — To the Editor of the Evening News. Oban, 27th April, 1877. Si«, — A most extraordinary event has occurred hero, which I m detail, having been an eye-witness to tho whole affair. I allude to the etranding and capture of the veritable sea-serpant m front of the Caledonian Hotel, George-street, Oban. About four o'clock yesterday on unimal or fish, evidently of gigantic size, was seen sporting m Lhe bay near Heathor If land. Its appearance evidently perplexed a large number of spectators assembled on the pier, and several telescopes were directed towards it. A careful look satisfied us that it was of the serpent species, it carrying its head fully 25 feet above the water. A number of boats were soon launohed and proceeded to the bbathey — the crews armed with such weapons ascouldb^got handy. Under the directions of Malcolm Nicholson, our f>ccomplished boatman, they headed the monster, and some of the boats were within thirty yards of it when it suddenly sprang half-length out of tho water and made for the open. A random fire from several volunteers with rifles seemed to have no effect on it. Under Mr Nicholson's orders, the boats now ranged across the entrance of tho bay, and by the screams and shouts, turned the monster's course, and it headed directly for the breast-wall of the Grea 1 ; Western Hotel. One boat, containing Mr Donald Campbell, the Fiscal, had a narrow escape, the animal actually rubbing against it. Mr Campbell and his brother jumped overboard, and were picked- up uuhurt by Mr John D. Bardic, saddler, m his small yacht, the Flying Scud. The animal seemed thoroughly frightened, and as the boats closed m tho volunteers were unable to fire more, owing to the crowds assembled on the shore. At a little past six the monster teok the ground on the beach m front of the Caledonian Hotel, m George-street, and his proportions were now fully visible. In his, frantic- exertions, with his tail sweeping the beach, no one dared to approach. The stones were firing m all directions, one seriously injuring a man called Baldy Barrow, and another breaking the window of the Commercial Bank.' A. party of volunteers, under I Lieutenant' David Menzies*, now aisembled, ' and fired volley nftor volley into the neck, according to the directions of l)r Campbell, who did not wish, for scientific reasons, that the configuration of the head should be damaged. As there was a bright/ moon, this continued till nearly 10 o'clock, when Mr Stevens, of the Commercial Bank, waded m and fixed a strong rope to the animal's head, and by the exertions of some 70 folk it was securely dragged above high watermark. Its exact appearance as it lies on the beach is as follows!— Thn extreme length « 101 ft, and the thickest part is about 25 feet from the head, which is 11 fe»t m circumference. At thiß part is fixed- a pair of fins, which are 4 feet long by nearly 7 feet across at the sides. Further back is a. long dorsal fin, extending for at least 12 or 13 feet, nnd 5 feet high m front, tapering to 1 foot. The tail is more of a- flattened termination to the body proper than 1 anything else. The eyes are very small m proportion, and elongnted, and gills of the length of 2J feet behind. There are no external ears ; and as Dr. Campbell did riot' wish the animal handled till ho communicated with some eminent scientific gentlemen, wo could not ascertain if there wero teeth or not. Great excitement iB created, and the 1 country people are flocking m to view it.» This morning, Mr Duncan Clerk, writer, formally took possession of the monster, m the rights of Mr M'Fee, of Appin, and Mr James Nicol, writer m the name- of the Crown — I am, Sir, your obedient servant, .. . .. John B. Andbesoit.'