SHARK DRAGS BOAT 100 MILES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 210, 21 September 1937, Page 8

SHARK DRAGS BOAT 100 MILES

Press Assn.-

Harpooned Monster Fights for 24 Hours CREW EXHAUSTED

(By Telegraph—

-Copyright.)

(Received '21, 10.40 a.m.) J * LONDON, Sept. 20. ' How sh&rk-hunters who harpooned a gigantie basking shark in the Firth oi Clyde were dragged for 24 houra in a dinghy covering, it is estimated, a hundred miles, is related by a party Which had been cruising for a fortnight in the converted Admiralty patrolboat Myrtle. In the hope of securing a basking shark to enable an analysis with. a view to discovering whether a Scottish. industry might be established for the distillation of shark liver oil the huntert during the f orenoon harpooned from the dinghy a shark over 30 feet long and estimated to weigh ten tons. The shark dragging the dinghy set off at tremendons speed zigzagging and circling repeatedly and frequently endangernig the- three oceupants of the dinghy. The Myrtle followed closely. The battle continued in brilliant moonlight and dawn saw the leviathan still struggling for life. A fire then broke out aboard the Myrtle and when it was extinguished the dinghy had disappeared. The Myrtle fruitlessly searched for the boat, aiso warning shipping to look out for it. Three aeroplanes and a lifeboat joined the search and eventually at mid-day the lifeboat fonnd the dinghy and shark. Although exhausted the crew refused a passing vess'el's offer to take them ol£ at it meant they would have to abandon their prize. The crew of the dinghy then decided to bnoy the shark as neither the dinghy nor lifehoat were able to tow it, and the Myrtle went out i to recover it. j The shark hunters include Doctor Seccombe Hett, who attended Queen J Maiy in 1929, _ ■ [ i