WHAT WAS IT?

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1766, 3 June 1913, Page 6

WHAT WAS IT?

STRANGE SEA MONSTER ON THE BEACH. The account of the appearance on the west coast of Tasmania of a strange sea monster lias been forwarded to the Secretary for Mines by the State Mining Engineer, Mr. Hartwell Condor. It was Heon 12 miles north of Point nibbs by. Oscar Davis, prospector, and bis mate, W. Harris, on April 20, when they were walking aloug the coast. They first jawit at a distance of half a mile, and got to within 40 yards of it, when it rose suddenly and rushed into the sea. After going half a chain, it stopped and turned round, showing only tlio head and part of the neok. It was 15ft. long, as checked by stepping its mark in the sand wlifcre it had been lying, had a small head the size of a dog, thick, arched neck passing gradually into the barrel of the body; no definite tail, nor fins. It was furred, chestnut colour, and of attractive appearance; had four legs, and travelled rapidly by bounding. The footprints were circular, and there were marks, of fonr claws Tin. long, but. no evideniSo of webbing. When first disturbed it. reared lip on its hind legs, and then appeared 3ft. Gin. high. It bore no resemblance to seals or sea leopards.