A SHIP ATTACKED BY A SWORD-FISH. 283 



rather a strange place, by-the-by, for inquiring into 

 the natural history of fishes was engaged for several 

 hours in trying to determine under what circum- 

 stances a sword-fish might be able to escape scot-free 

 after thrusting his snout into the side of a ship. The 

 gallant ship " Dreadnought," thoroughly repaired, 

 and classed A 1 at Lloyd's, had been insured for 

 3,000 against all the risks of the seas. She sailed on 

 March 10, 1864-, from Colombo, for London. Three 

 days later, the crew, while fishing, hooked a sword- 

 fish. Xiphias, however, broke the line, and a few 

 moments after leaped half out of the water, with the 

 object, it should seem, of taking a look at his per- 

 secutor, the "Dreadnought." Probably he satisfied 

 himself that the enemy was some abnormally large 

 Cetacean, which it was his natural duty to attack 

 forthwith. Be this as it may, the attack was made, 

 and at four o'clock the next morning the captain was 

 awakened with the unwelcome intelligence that the 

 ship had sprung a leak. She was taken back to Co- 

 lombo, and thence to Cochin, where she was hove 

 clown. Near the keel was found a round hole, an 

 inch in diameter, running completely through the 

 copper sheathing and planking. 



As attacks by sword-fish are included among sea- 

 risks, the insurance company was willing to pay the 

 damages claimed by the owners of the ship, if only it 

 could be proved that the hole had really been made by 



