THE SEA-SERPENT OUTDONE.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 27, 20 January 1877, Page 3

THE SEA-SERPENT OUTDONE.

The master and surgeon of the s.s. Nestor, on arriving at Shanghai, made statutory declarations respecting the enormous marine creature that they assert they met with on Sept. 11, at half-past 10 a.m., when m Malacca Straits. Captain Webster compares the creature to a gigantic pig. The greater part of its body was out of view, ut from the parts that were visible, it was evident that the^ creature was of immense size. The head which was of a pale yellowish colour, was about 12ft m length, and 6ft of the crown was above the water. Neither the eyes nor mouth were made out. The head was immediately connected with the body, without any indication of a neck. The body was about 45ft or 50ft m length, and of .an oval shape, and the tail was fully 150 ft m length. The master states that he distinctly saw the tail from its junction with the body to its extremity. It seemed cylindrical, with a* very slight taper, and he estimated its diameter at 4ft. T.he body and tail were marked with alternate bands and stripes, black and pale yellow m colour. The stripes were distinct to the very extremity of the tail. No fins or paddles were observed, but the monster seemed to progress by means of an undulatory motion of its tail. It seemed to have no difficulty m keeping up with the vessel, which was going 9f knots an hour, Captain Webster at first thought of running it down, but dismissed the idea for fear of endangering his screw-blades. The creature showed

no signs of fear, and finally dropped astern. It seemed to exude an oily I matter as it moved. Mr Anderson, the I ship's surgeon, stated that the creature reminded him of an enormous salamander m shape and colour. Its back was higher some eight or ten feet at times than the head or tail. It was apparently of a gelatinous or flabby substance. Its movements were lethargic. He should not for a moment compare it to a snake ; the only creatures it could be compared to were of the newt or frog tribe. — Melbourne " Argus."