BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 407 



73 — DESCRIPTION OF AIV E R I..IJKE CREATURE TAKEN IN A IVET 

 AT NEW HARBOR, MAINE, IN ISSO.* 



By S. W. HANNA. 



In August, 1880, the following item appeared in the Sea- Side Press : 



" S. W. Hanna, of Pemaquid, caught what might be called a young 

 sea-serpent in his nets the other day. It was about 25 feet long and 10 

 inches in diameter in the largest part, and was shaped like an eel. 

 The head was flat, and the upper part projected out over the mouth, 

 which was small and contained sharp teeth. It was dead when found." 



Mr. Allen noticed this newspaper item, and, having written to Mr. 

 Hanna inquiring whether there was any truth in it, was favored with 

 the following reply : 



" The report you saw in the Press in regard to a marine monster 

 being caught by me was correct. The fish was about 25 feet in length 

 and from 8 to 10 inches in diameter, with a tail like an eel. The skin was 

 not like a scale-fish, but more like a dog-fish or shark, though a great 

 deal finer in quality. I did not save the fish for the reason that I did 

 not know what I had caught. In fact, I considered it a streak of ill- 

 luck rather than good fortune, having torn my nets very badly and 

 otherwise bothering me in my business. The fish could have been 

 grappled twenty-four hours after, it being in only 4 fathoms of water 

 and it being a small shoal, with deep water all around it. A storm 

 arose later, which made it impossible to do so. 



" New Harbor, Maine, September 14, 1880." 



Upon receipt of the above, Mr. Allen made a more specific inquiry, 

 as follows : 



" I am inclined to think that you caught a rare fish or animal, and I 

 am interested to know more about it. Will you please inform me about 

 its head "l Was it like a snake's head ? Did the mouth open like a 

 snake's mouth ? Were there any gills ? Were there any fins near the 

 head J ? Were there any fins on the back ? Will you please draw with 

 a pencil the general shape of the head and also the general shape of the 

 whole body % I do not wish to give you too much trouble, but I think 

 such a description is important. 



" Hartford, Conn., September 17, 1880." 



* This account has been compiled from correspondence which passed between Mr. 

 Hanna and J. M. Allen, of Hartford, Conn., and subsequently between Mr. Hanna 

 and Professor Baird. The attention of the latter was called to the matter by Mr. 

 Allen.— C. W. S. 



