216 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



course and swam iu a northerly direction iij) the coast. As soon as day 

 broke the harpoon-gun was loaded with an iron bar four feet long, and 

 this was discharged into the body of the whale. Two marliuspikes 

 were sent after the bar, and these were followed by all the iron nuts and 

 bolts that could be found on board. At first these seemed to have con- 

 siderable eifect, for about 8 o'clock iu the morning the w'hale stopped 

 running fast, settled down level with the water, and rolled from side to 

 side, inspiring the whalemen with the hope that it would soon die. 

 But after a few miuutes of comparative inaction the whale started off 

 again with such great energy that it pulled the harjioon line in two at 

 about half-past 8 o'clock a. m., when the boats and tug were nearly half 

 way between Bell Rock and St. Andrews. This was certainly dis- 

 couraging to the boats' crews to see the " fish," which they had so 

 confidently counted on killing, going off free. They could, however, do 

 nothing, except to steam along after the whale, hoping that it might 

 soon die from its numerous wounds, or that an opportunity might offer 

 to get hold of the end of one of the harpoon lines that trailed behind in 

 its wake. Unfortunately the wind soon began to breeze up sharply 

 from the eastward, and a choppy sea getting ujjjthe chase had to be re- 

 luctantly abandoned. 



On the return of the tug and boats it was reported that the whale 

 was a humpback {Megaptera sp.), and it was estimated to be CO to 70 

 feet long, with fins 9 or 10 feet iu length. 



But this animal, which had shown such wonderful vitality and pow- 

 ers of endurance, though it escaped from its would-be captors, was 

 mortally wounded, and a short time later its floating carcass was picked 

 up and towed into Stonehaven by some Gourdon fishermen. It was 

 sold at public auction; and, according to there ports, the sale was the 

 occasion of quite a lively competition between Professor Struthers, of 

 Aberdeen University, who wished to obtain the whale for scientific pur- 

 poses, and Mr. Charles Ferrier, Green Market, Dundee, who wished to 

 secure it for public exhibition. Bidding commenced at £10, and the price 

 rose gradually till it was knocked down at £220 to the latter gentleman. 

 Professor Struthers has arranged with Mr. Ferrier to get the skeleton 

 of the whale for Aberdeen University after it is unclothed. 



The tug Excelsior went to Stonehaven for the purpose of removing 

 the carcass. A strong hawser was attached to the tail of the monster, 

 and the Excelsior steamed slowly around to Dundee. The whale was 

 towed underneath the 70-ton crane at Victoria dock. To the unin- 

 itiated the task of raising the animal from the water to the quay seemed 

 an impossibility, and it was confidently asserted that it would have to 

 lie in the water all night. Those who had the matter in hand, how- 

 ever, quietly proceeded with their operations. The huge tail was first 

 gently lifted, and a big chain coiled around it. An attempt was to be 

 made to lift the fish from the water by the tail. It was freely asserted 

 that it would never stand the strain, but would tear asunder in the 



