CAPTURE OF A BOA CONSTRICTOR AT THE LONDON DOCKS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 761, 28 November 1876, Page 3

CAPTURE OF A BOA CONSTRICTOR AT THE LONDON DOCKS.

The following interesting event, which occurred at the London Docks, being the capture of a large boa constrictor on board the ship Surprise, which arrived from Port Natal, laden with wool and hides, is related by a correspondent of the London Times: "It appears that, while at the port, she went within the bar to load, being a small vessel, and consequently was close to the bush. One evening after her cargo had been shipped, while the crew were having a little jollification among themselves, one of the crew who happened to possess a concertina was playing vaiious tunea for the amusement of his companions. It is supposed that the music attracted the boa on board, and being disturbed it must have found its wav into the hold, as the hatches were off at the time, and concealed itself among the cargo, as it was not discovered till the ship was well on the voyage home, When she arrived in dock the question arose as to how it was to be captured, but with the RBsistancc of Mr Jamrach it was successfully accomplished. I have seen the reptile, and I should think it is about Bft or 9ft in length, and as thick as the calf of a man's leg. It has existed during the voyage on rate and other vermin, with which I am informed the vessel swarmed while at Port Natal, and now there is not a rat to be seen on any part of the vessel, so that in future it may be thought desirable to ship a boa constrictor instead of other animals to catch the vermin,"