186 THE VARIOUS ACCOUNTS , [ N°. 48. | 
appear to alter his course in consequence of being so near the 
vessel. I saw him much less time than either of the others, and 
not in so favourable a position to notice his head.” 
“J have been to sea many years, and never saw any fish that 
had the least resemblance to this animal. Judging from what I 
saw out of water, I should judge the body was about the size of 
a half barrel in circumference.” 
“Sewell Toppan”. 
“Suffolk ss. Boston, September 1, 1817. Personally appeared 
captain Sewell Toppan, and made solemn oath, that the foregoing 
declaration by him subscribed is true.” 
“Before me, Jos. May, Jus. Pacis.” 
“Robert Bragg, of Newburyport, mariner, of the schooner Laura, 
of Newburyport, Sewell Toppan Master, testifies: That on thursday 
last, about ten o'clock A. M. coming in said schooner bound from 
Newburyport to Boston, off Eastern Point, (Cape Ann), about a 
mile and a half from the shore, I being on deck, the vessel being 
becalmed , looking at the windward, I saw something break the water, 
and coming very fast towards us, I mentioned it to the man at 
helm, William Somerby; the animal came about 28 or 30 feet 
from us, between the vessel and the shore, and passing very swiftly 
by us; he left a very long wake behind him. About six inches in 
height of his body and head were out of water, and as I should 
judge about 14 or 15 feet in length. He had a head like a ser- 
pent, rather larger than his body and rather blunt; did not see 
his eyes; when astern of the vessel] about 30 feet, he threw out 
his tongue about two feet in length; the end of it appeared to 
me to resemble a fisherman’s harpoon; he raised his tongue several 
times perpendicularly, or nearly so, and let it fall again. He was 
in sight about ten minutes. I think he moved at the rate of 12 
or 14 miles an hour; he was of a dark chocolate colour, and from 
what appeared out of water I should suppose he was two and a 
half feet in circumference; he made no noise; his back and body 
appeared smooth; a small bunch on each side of his head, just 
above his eyes; he did not appear to be at all disturbed by the 
vessel; his course was in the direction for the Salt Islands; his 
motion was much swifter than any whale that I have ever seen, 
and I have seen many — did not observe any teeth; his motion 
was very steady, a little up and down.” 
“To this account I am willing to make oath.” 
“Robert Bragg.” 
