176 THE VARIOUS ACCOUNTS , [Neston 
at a distance of forty rods, and with a spy-glass, rising from the 
foremost part of the head, about 12 inches, or a foot, in length, 
pointed at its end, and having six inches in circumference, or two 
in diameter, at the bottom, was nothing else but the animal's tongue. 
43. — 1817, August 17. — See also n°. 43 on p. 175. — - 
(Report of a Committee, 1817). — 
“I, John Johnston, jun, of Gloucester, in the County of Hssex, 
of the age of seventeen years, depose and say: That on the evening 
of the seventeenth day of August, A. D. 1817, between the hours 
of eight and nine o'clock, while passing from the shore in a boat, 
to a vessel lying in the harbour of said Gloucester, I saw a strange 
marine animal, that I believe to be a serpent, lymg extended on 
the surface of the water. His length appeared to be fifty feet at 
least, and he appeared straight, exhibiting no protuberances. Capt. 
John Corliss and George Marble were in the boat with me. We 
were within two oars length of him. We immediately rowed from 
him, and at first concluded to pass by his tail; but fearing we 
might strike it with the boat, concluded to pass around his head, 
which we did, by altering our course. He remained in the same 
position, till we lost sight of him. We approached so near to him 
that I believe I could have reached him with my oar. ‘There was 
not sufficient light to enable me to describe the animal.” 
“John Johnston, jun.” 
“Hssex, ss. August 25, 1817. Personally appeared John Johnston, 
jr. and made oath that the foregoing deposition , by him subscribed, 
is true according to his best knowledge and belief.” 
“Before Lonson Nash, Jus of Peace.” 
This account is as interesting as all the other ones; though no 
further particulars are described, it is again mentioned that more 
than fifty feet of the animal’s back part were visible , lying perfectly 
still on the surface of the water, showing no bunches at all. 
44 — 1817, August 18. — In the letter of Mr. S. G. Parkins 
to Mr. E. Evrrnrt, dated Boston Aug. 20, 1817, we read: 
“But on Saturday, the day before yesterday, a vessel arrived at 
Beverly from the bank of New-foundland. The captain and the 
