THRILLING FIGHT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 93, 27 November 1939, Page 5

THRILLING FIGHT

TWO SWORDFISH ATTACK

A WHALE

FOUR HOURS COMBAT

On Tuesday a party aboard tlie launch Maul witnessed a thrilling spectacle at the Penguin Shoal, halfway between Motiti and Mayor Islands, about 17 miles from the mainland. Those on the Maui were line-fish-ing on the Shoal, and Mr K. S. Prior —who was aboard with Mr G. Meredith and Mr J. Burt —says they watched two large swordfish engaged in fighting a whale. A little further ahead was another whale, but the swordfish concentrated on only one of them.

The swordfish attacked in turn and after each thrust the whale made a tremendous splash and ihen dived. The launch was three-quart-ers of a mile away and as the whale threshed the water there was a tremendous noise which was heard distinctly. The launch party could have gone much closer to the combat but deemed it wise not to do so in case the whale charged.

The fight lasted about four hours but apparently the swordfish failed to secure a kill. The fight started shortly after mid-day and it was nearly four, o'clock when the swordfish retired.

Prior to the opening of the fight ;he two swordfish were seen jumpng out of the water repeatedly.

About four o'clock the whale which was not in the fight came within two chains of the launch. It was a large specimen, and when the launch left the Penguin Shoal the whales were about a mile apart.