[N°. 41. | REPORTS AND PAPERS. 169 
in the afternoon, I saw a strange marine animal, resembling a 
serpent, in the harbour in said Gloucester. I was in a boat, and 
was within thirty feet of him. His head appeared full as large as 
a four-gallon keg, his body as large as a barrel, and his length 
that I saw, I should judge forty feet at least. The top of his head 
was of a dark colour, and the under part of his head appeared 
nearly white, as did also several feet of his belly, that I saw. I 
supposed and do believe that the whole of his belly was nearly 
white. I fired at him, when he was the nearest to me. I had a 
good gun, and took good aim. I aimed at his head, and think I 
must have hit him. He turned towards us immediately after I had 
fired, and I thought he was coming at us; but he sunk down 
and went directly under our boat, and made his appearance at 
about one hundred yards from where he sunk. He did not turn 
down like a fish, but appeared to settle directly down, like a 
rock. My gun carries a ball of eighteen to a pound; and I suppose 
there is no person in town, more accustomed to shooting than I 
am. I have seen the animal at several other times, but never had 
so good a view of him, -as on this day. His motion was vertical, 
like a caterpillar.” 
“Q. How fast did it move?” 
“4. I should say he moved at the rate of a mile in two, or 
at most three minutes.” 
“@. Did it appear smooth or rough?” 
“4. 1 thought it smooth, when I was endeavouring to take 
aim at him, and will not say positively, that he was smooth, 
though that is still my belief.” 
“Q. Does he turn quick and short, and if so, what is the form 
of path that he makes, in turning?” 
“A. He turns quick and short, and the first part of the curve 
that he makes in turning, is in the form of the staple; but his 
head seems to approach rapidly towards his body, his head and 
tail moving in opposite directions, and when his head and tail 
came parallel, they appear almost to touch each other.” 
“QQ. Did he appear more shy, after you had fired at him?” 
“A. He did not; but continued playing as before.” 
“Q. Who was in the boat with you, when you fired at the 
serpent?” 
“A. My brother Daniel, and Augustin M. Webber. 
“Matthew Gaffney.” 
“Hssex, ss. August 28, 1817. Then Matthew Gaffney made oath 
