2926 The Sea Serpent. 



abundantly supplied with fish of every description, and the greatest activity prevails to 

 profit by the bounty which has been thus sent to us literally in shoals. It has been 

 noticed too, that some description of fish, haak for instance, have been captured fur- 

 ther within the limits of the inner harbour than was ever known before. In fact, as I 

 heard it observed, the fish was literally leaping ashore. These novel appearances, 

 however, it was my lot to see fully accounted for yesterday {August 28). At about 

 1 o'clock, a.m. [? p.m. Ed.], when sailing in my yacht, with a slight breeze off shore, 

 about two miles to the south of the beacon erected on the Barrel rocks, one of the 

 party of four gentlemen on board (Mr. B., of Bandon) drew attention towards the 

 structure, with the interrogatory of ' Do you see anything queer about the Barrels ?' 

 In an instant the attention of all on board was rivetted on an object which at first 

 struck me as like the up-heaved thick end of a large mast, but which, as it was made 

 out plainer, proved to be the head of some huge fish or monster. On bearing down 

 towards the object we could distinctly see, with the naked eye, what I can best de- 

 scribe as an enormous serpent without mane or fur or any like appendage. The por- 

 tion of the body above water, and which appeared to be rubbing or scratching itself 

 against the beacon, was fully thirty feet long, and in diameter I should say about a 

 fathom. With the aid of a glass it was observed that the eyes were of immense size, 

 about nine inches across the ball, and the upper part of the back appeared covered 

 with a furrowed shell-like substance. We were now within rifle-shot of the animal, 

 and, although some on board exhibited pardonable nervousness at the suggestion, it 

 was resolved to fire a ball at the under portion of the body whenever the creature's un- 

 wieldy evolutions would expose its vulnerable part. The instant the piece was dis- 

 charged the monster rose as if impelled by a painful impulse to a height which may 

 appear incredible, say at least thirty fathoms, and culminating with the most rapid 

 motion dived or dashed itself under water with a splash that almost stopped our 

 breaths with amazement. In a few moments all disturbance of the water subsided, 

 and the strange visitor evidently pursued his course to seaward. On coming up to 

 the beacon we were gratified to find adhering to the supports numerous connected 

 scaly masses, such as one would think would be rubbed from a creature ' coating,' or 

 changing its old skin for a new one. These interesting objects can be seen at the 

 Horse Rock Coast Guard station, and will repay a visit. These particulars I have 

 narrated in the clearest manner I am able, and if others, in other boats, who had not 

 so good an opportunity of seeing the entire appearance of the animal as those in my 

 boat had, should send you a more readable account of it, I pledge myself none will 

 more strictly adhere to the real facts. I am, Sir, your very obedient servant, 



" Roger W. Travers," in the Cork Constitution, Sep. 2. 



" On Saturday last (August 31), the weather having the appearance of being set- 

 tled fine, I put out to sea, determined, as far as the capabilities of my little craft 

 would permit, to go any lengths in finding out the position of the stranger, hoping, by 

 keeping a constant look-out in every direction, to discover him. Nor was I disap- 

 pointed, the animal, lured no doubt by the dense masses of fish now off the coast, 

 having remained within a comparatively short distance of the land. At about II 

 o'clock, a.m., when off Dunworly-head, one of my crew on the look-out sang out, ' The 

 sea serpent on starboard bow !' and on looking in the direction indicated, I had the 

 pleasure of at once recognizing the same monster that I had before seen, and greatly 

 do I regret, indeed, that you or some person conversant with natural history were not 



