DESPERATE BATTLE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1930, Page 3

DESPERATE BATTLE

SWORDFISH ATTACKS WHALE

AUCKLAND, February 17

A desperate battle between a swordfish and a whale was seen from the Northern Company’s steamer Kawau, when the vessel was en route from Mangawai to Auckland.

“In all my life at sea I have never seen anything like it,” said Captain Keatley, master of the Kawau. “We first saw four whales rolling easily along, and then I saw one of them breaching—that is leap right out of the water. As we drew nearer we could see that the whale was in great agony. Time after time it tried to leap clear of the water, falling back again each time in tremendous showers of spray. Once it hurled itself several feet above the Surface, and in the smother of loam from which it had risen. we could see the; lean shape of a swordfish with its lance upthrust. In *its attempts to drive off its attacker the whale was lashing the surface of the water with its tail, but it seemed to be very weak. Its whole strength seemed concentrnted on trying to get right out of the water, but each time it fell the swordfish was underneath with a thrust for its belly.

“The other whales went their leisurely way, apparently oblivious of their companion’s danger. They were all hump-backs, and of good size. The one that was fighting the swordfish must have been fully 10 feet long, nearly the maximum size of that species. It is most unusual to find whales so far inside the Gulf, for the spot where the combat took place was about halfway between Bream Tail .and Cape Rodney.” *

Just as Captain Keatley and some ol 'the passengers had got their cameras 'focused on the combatants the whale apparently heard the beat of the ship's screw, and probably fearing another attacker it threw up its tail and sounded. A glimpse was caught of the Wordfish ns it swirled round and dived in pursuit. Neither creature was seen again. With its superior speed and armament it is quite probable that the wnrdfisli finished the battle by killing the whale before it could return to the surface for another breath.