GREAT WHALE HUNT OFF ORKNEY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 444, 8 February 1890, Page 3

GREAT WHALE HUNT OFF ORKNEY.

An Exciting Scene,

One of the grandest whale hunts that has been witnessed off Orkney for many years was engaged about two months ago, and ended in the capture of a flock of “ caaing ” whales variously estimated from 150 to 190. The first wa& seen at the sands of Shapinsay about nine o’clock, when the news was conveyed bo Kirkwall, and a number of boats went ofl in pursuit. The Whales Were Overtaken Near Shapinsay,

and an attempt was made to drive the monsters ashore there, but they took fright and went seawards. Another attempt at the head of Work also proved unsuccessful. As the day advanced and the number of boats increased, it became evident that the whales were doomed. The boats were attached to each other by long lines from which leads were suspended. These were vigorously splashed in the water to the rear ot the whales, whilst the huntsmen kept up a continual chorus of cheers. Just as darkness began to set in the whales were headed towards the shore at Tankerness, and the most determined efforts were made to beach them. At this juncture the scene was very exciting. The whales were

Dashing the Sea in All Directions, and one rose up clean through the stem of a boat. The boat at once sank, and the occupants were thrown into the water. One of them, an old man named Begg, had a harrow escape from drowning. Ultimately the whole shoal of whales were beached, the shore being perfectly black with the struggling mass. The work of slaughtering them was both difficult and dangerous, the implements employed being spears, harpoons; knives, old scythe blades, pitchforks, bowie : knives, and, in fact, every conceivable sort of weapon of any service. Between the line of boats and the shore the whales were almost in one solid mass, puffing and blowing, and uttering all sorts of discordant noises. Now and again one fellow would break away after getting perhaps ten or a dozen deep slashes, tearing out to sea a bit, lashing up the water at a tremendous rate, but, strange to say, he would always turn back to the slaughter-house to get finished off. The dead and dying, with strong ropes attached to them, were hauled ashore out of the reach of the tide, this being no very light work. ; ’■ >r . j On Sunday, hundreds of people visited the whales at Barns, Tankerness, the distance from Kirkwall only being about four miles. The day was; very fine, and some Of. the churches were .very.;thinly at-; landed;: particularly, in the afternoon.