The Sea Serpent. 2927 



on board with me. We drew as close as I thought consistent with safety, and 

 had ample proof of the creature being piscivorous, he being at the time engaged 

 in bolting a great number of large haak or conger-eels. I had now for the first time 

 a view of his tail, which entirely differs from the usual form of that extremity m most 

 descriptions of fish, being furnished with no fin, but somewhat resembling a huge 

 elephant's trunk or proboscis, the end long drawn out and curling and twisting in a 

 very remarkable manner. I really feel afraid to hazard expressing in figures what 1 

 judge to be the dimensions of the animal, but I do believe that if it were stretched 

 straight from head to tail it would be rather over than under thirty fathoms long, and 

 of that length I am satisfied fully half is seven feet in diameter. The mouth is a 

 most capacious organ, and opens something like that of an alligator. The small 

 size of the gills, for I could discern nothing like the blowing holes of a whale, rather 

 surprised me. The nose, I think, is formed of a soft flesh-like substance, not bony ; 

 and from the broken condition of the external coat of scales I am satisfied, as before 

 observed, that the beast is now in its ' coating ' state. After a little time it appeared 

 evident that he had fallen asleep, as we could perceive him rapidly drifting on shore 

 at the east side of Dnnworly-head ; and I once more, although I now feel with more 

 rashness than discretion, resolved to try the effect of firearms in capturing him. Four 

 rifles were prepared, brought simultaneously to bear on the animal's head, and, giving 

 the word myself, and directing all to aim for the eye turned towards us, bang went 

 the pieces, in a volley, the shots taking evident effect. His first movement was to 

 shake his head and wink the wounded eye in a rapid manner, and then, as if to cool 

 the painful wound, he suddenly dived, since when I have not had the slightest trace 

 of him either by my own observation or through others."— Id., Sep. 7. 



« Monday last a party of gentlemen belonging to this city were enjoying a sailing # 

 excursion in the Antelope yacht, belonging to Mr. Wheeler, along the coast from 

 Glandore to Kinsale. Passing the Old Head of Kinsale, the day unusually fine, they 

 observed an extraordinary commotion of the sea, apparent to every one on board, lhe 

 bay of Kinsale was at the time filled with fish. In a few moments they perceived a 

 large serpent-like fish on the surface, that could not be less than 120 feet in ength. 

 In shape it resembled a long funnel of an immense steamer. Unfortunately they 

 were not sufficiently near the monster to give a description of the head and body. 

 After lying on the surface for a few minutes, it suddenly dashed ahead with a velocity, 

 as far as could be seen for a distance of two miles, of at least sixty miles an hour. It 

 then disappeared. It was believed that the sea serpent must have been in pursuit oi 

 the shoals of fish that thronged the bay. It is a singular circumstance that, notwith- 

 standing the unusual quantity of fish that was observable, the Kinsale hookers were 

 most unsuccessful, as it was stated they did not obtain a single take during the even- 

 ino- The gentlemen who have witnessed the visit of the monster, and whose state- 

 ment is detailed above, may be relied on as above all suspicion."- Cork Constitution, 

 Sepember 7. 



"A few friends accompanied me on a boating excursion this day (Sep. 9) whose 

 names are William Silk, John Hunt, George Williams, Henry Seymour, and Edward 

 Barry, and, being off the Sovereign Islands, our attention was directed by one of the 

 party to an extraordinary appearance ahead of the boat; immediately all eyes were 

 turned to see what it was, when, to our astonishment and fright, the above monster of 

 the deep was bearing down on us ; we were at once thrown into an awful fright, and 



