REMARKABLE FISH STORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 339, 15 June 1869, Page 4

REMARKABLE FISH STORY.

The following has been handed to us by the writer, mate of the schooner Dreadnought. The vessel sailed from this port January 21st for Coos Bay, and the creature described was seen on the next day by the mate, Mr Brown, the second mate — Bryant, and the helmsman. The captain was below, and the other hands were at supper : — " Editor Bulletin, — I have seen him at last. The following is a copy of an entry on my log on board the schooner Dreadnought on the 22nd day of January, 1 869. At 5 .30 p.m. , with head gales from the S.E., weather thick, with rain, latitude 39.42 N., and longitude 124.30 W., I saw his Excellency in a great rage and fury ; he seemed to be in great haste, and coming toward us. The following is a description of his appearance : — About seven feet long — much like a cod-fish about the body and feet, with wings like an albatross, flippers like a seal ; a head like a horse and hair on his upper lip. He leaped about thirty feet out of the water at each jump, and went a cable's length at every leap without touching the water ; travelling at the rate, as nearly as I could judge, of about twelve miles an hour. Myself and the second mate had a good view of him, as he was in sight about ten minutes. I believe had he come on board and struck any of our spars, he would have broken them like carrots. "He seemed hurrying off as if he had some particular business, or we might have seen more of him than we would have liked. I should like to hear if anyone else has seen him, as he must be in the habit of visiting our coast at certain seasons of the year. "D. Brown. " San Francisco, March 5, 1866."